she has been acting strangely,' King Rolen muttered. Piro wanted to kick him.
He crossed the room and knelt, lifting his wife's small body in his arms. Gently he placed her on the bed, brushing the dark curls from her forehead. 'My poor Myrella.'
The old honour guard muttered sympathetically under their breath. Only one person, other than Seela, knew what was going on. Piro allowed her gaze to meet Cobalt's. He gave her a look that could cut glass and she was glad they were not alone.
'Eh, Piro, come here,' King Rolen said.
She approached him and he took her hand in his large callused one. 'I'm sorry I doubted you, lass. You were only obeying your mother when you carried the note.'
Tears stung Piro's eyes. She wanted to howl like a baby. Even now, her father believed Cobalt rather than her.
'Here, don't cry.' He patted her back, pressing her to his shoulder. He smelt of horse sweat and leather and she just wanted to be six years old again, when he was the strongest, most powerful thing in her world and he could protect them all.
The king pulled away from Piro, so he could look into her face. 'I'll send for both mystics and they'll cast the renegade out of your mother. Never fear.' He glanced to the bed where the queen lay so still. 'But, until then, I must keep her locked up for her own good. You understand, Piro?'
'Yes, father.'
And she had to be content with that. Her mother was innocent in the king's eyes so she was salvageable. But the real traitor was Cobalt and, next to Temor, he was her father's most trusted advisor.
Then her stomach gave a sickening lurch for, when the mystics arrived, they would discover her mother had Affinity. Why hadn't she thought before she acted?
King Rolen straightened, an angry gleam in his deep-set eyes. 'Send for Autumnwind and Springdawn. This has been going on under their noses and they didn't warn me!'
Piro cast a swift glance to Seela. The old nurse went to speak but Cobalt was too quick.
'Springdawn is dead. She took a lover and when it was discovered, killed herself and the lover.'
King Rolen blinked then frowned. 'I always thought she had too much to say for herself. Who was he?'
'Your manservant, Valens.'
The king sagged as if he'd been struck. Piro couldn't bear to see her father suffer. She helped him sit on the bed. His hands trembled as they had done this morning before Valens worked on him.
She sprang between him and the others. 'Get out. Go on. Father's had a shock. He needs time to think.'
When the king did not object they backed out, all but Cobalt.
'I would be failing in my duty as Protector of the Castle if I left before the warder arrived,' he said.
'Then you can leave now, in good conscience,' Autumnwind said, entering the room. He bowed to Piro's father. 'I came as soon as I heard, my king.'
King Rolen nodded distractedly.
Cobalt bowed. 'Call me if you need me, Uncle.'
He backed out and Piro heard him telling one of the honour guard to remain at the door. She turned back to her father, covering both of his large hands with her small ones and pressing down on them to prevent the tremor.
'We'll call the healers, father,' she said. 'We have Valens' case. We'll find out what he was using on you. They'll be able to help -'
'What's wrong?' Autumnwind asked.
Piro glanced to Seela. How much should they reveal? Autumnwind had relished sending Cobalt away, but where did his loyalty lie?
'What's wrong, King Rolen?' the warder repeated.
Rolen's glazed eyes cleared and fixed on him with growing anger. 'The queen's been under the influence of a renegade Power-worker all this time and my castle warders did nothing. You've failed Rolencia, failed me!'
Autumnwind paled then licked his lips. 'Springdawn served the queen's mystical needs. If there is any failure it is hers.'
'Since she's dead that does me no good,' King Rolen snapped. 'I want you to watch over the queen. If she shows signs of possession, ward her.'
'It is my duty and an honour,' Autumnwind said with a formal bow.
But Piro knew her father was the one who needed Autumnwind's help. 'Sit by the fire, father. We'll send for the healers and they can look at you too.'
'There's nothing they can do for me. I'm a cripple without Valens,' he muttered. 'Just when I need -'
'Nonsense, Rolen.' Seela pulled Valens' case out from under the bed. 'We have