Warrior's Ransom (The First Argentines #2) - Jeff Wheeler Page 0,87
first. The spice was slightly familiar, although he’d never tasted it before. He thought it might be something he’d encountered in the oasis. The morsel was still steaming, but he took a cautious bite and then smiled as the sugar melted on his tongue, leaving him with the flavor of the spice.
“It tastes a little like penuche,” he said with a grin.
Claire grinned and nodded. “I thought so too, which is why I wanted you to try it. It’s a delicacy in the Vexin, one that Emi is fond of. They call it qinnamon torrere.”
“I’ve never heard of it,” Ransom said, taking another delicious bite. The bread was soft, but the topping was thin, crispy, and sweet.
“Qinnamon is a rare bark from a tree in the East Kingdoms. Genevese merchants transport it, and it’s very expensive to buy. The sugar is also from the East Kingdoms. Not from beets but from a different plant that only grows over there. The cook puts some butter on the bread to help it stick, and it bubbles and hardens in the oven.”
“If my lady loves it, then my lady shall have it whenever she desires,” said Ransom with a smile. “A duchess can afford such a delicacy.”
She flashed a smile. “I didn’t want to tell you first that you were eating bark. Well, bark that is ground in a pestle until it’s powder.”
He looked at her face, and it pleased him to think that he’d be looking at it for the rest of his life. Her smile was warm, but then she looked over her shoulder, and her eyes crinkled with worry.
Lord Kinghorn had entered the kitchen and was walking up to them.
“I think the queen could use some comfort this evening,” he said to Claire.
She nodded. “I imagine so. I’ll go to her.”
Lord Kinghorn shifted his attention to Ransom. “The king would speak to you. Another messenger just arrived.” He pitched his voice lower. “Benedict just arrived at Beestone castle. It surrendered to him without a fight.”
The sweet taste in Ransom’s mouth turned sour. He glanced at Claire and saw her countenance had changed with the news.
Without speaking, they understood each other. If Benedict won the hollow crown and defeated his father, what would become of their future together?
My hand trembles as I write this. I don’t think my heart can hold so much happiness without bursting. Sir Dalian brought me from the tower on the king’s orders and took me to one of the palace gardens. Ransom was waiting for me. I didn’t know how to interpret his mood. He was flustered and uneasy, and I dreaded the worst. By some miracle of the Aos Sí, he has freed me from this prison. He is to be mine, and I am to be his. The news about Goff is dark indeed, but I can’t help but feel joyous about the future.
Sir Simon gave us a reckoning of my father’s estates and lands. Legault is an unruly mess, but when word reaches Atha Kleah about the change of events, I am convinced many of the nobles will flock to me and my future husband. If only this disorder with Duke Benedict can be resolved quickly. I do not want this war to continue forever. I do not want anything to ruin our future together.
I love thee, Ransom Barton. I say it freely and want to shout it from the window. This tower will be my prison no longer, although my joy cannot be complete because I know it will remain Emi’s cage.
—Claire de Murrow, Queen Again at Last
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
High Commission
Beestone castle had its share of ghosts, but Ransom was determined to face them. He had received a high commission from the king to broker peace with his wayward son. Now that Ransom had been named the future duke of Glosstyr, he had plenty of motivation to see the assignment accomplished successfully. But he knew it would not be easy, particularly since Benedict was on the verge of winning the war.
He rode with an entourage of fifty knights, each man wearing full armor and carrying lances at the ready. His brother, Marcus, accompanied him on the journey, having obeyed the king’s summons to bring ten knights to Kingfountain for duty. It was the first time the two brothers had served together, although Ransom had the command. Scouts had been sent ahead to preview the ground and warn of possible ambushes on the road.
Ransom was anxious to get back to Claire. Her good-bye kiss