Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,54

into the midst of the problem? Surely, like Princess Ruby, she is too young to be of use to the queen?”

“Child?” Vilmar’s brows rose. “Queen Aurora is no child.”

“She’s not?”

“She’s a grown woman, less than a month from her twentieth birthday.”

A strange fear shimmied down my spine. A grown woman. Almost twenty. Living in isolation in Inglewood Forest.

Underneath the table, Jorg bumped my knee with his. I glanced at him sideways and caught the glimmer in his eyes. Was it possible Rory was Queen Aurora?

Chapter

16

Kresten

Suddenly everything made sense. Rory—Aurora’s level of education, her impeccable manners, her polished speech, her inner strength of character. Her “aunts” were likely her teachers and Chester her guardian, which would account for how vigilant and skillful the young man had been in protecting her.

No, she wasn’t merely a woman from a noble family who’d fallen on hard times. She was Mercia’s queen, awaiting her twentieth birthday—the day she would be able to take the throne and rule her own country.

As silence once again prevailed over the table, I realized all eyes were upon me. Mikkel and Vilmar exchanged another look.

I was tempted to jump up and storm out of Walter’s cottage, away from the men before I gave myself away. Instead, I relaxed my shoulders and schooled my features into what I hoped portrayed nonchalance. “As far as I’m concerned, you should leave Aurora alone. This isn’t her fight, and she’ll be safer remaining in hiding away from Margery.”

In fact, now that I knew the truth, I wanted Mikkel and Vilmar to stay as far away from Aurora as possible. She’d remained in seclusion these many years without Margery finding her. She could go one more month. By the time she reached her twentieth year, Margery would have no more need of her heart and wouldn’t be able to question her authority to rule over Mercia. At that point, Aurora would be able to leave the cottage and return to Delsworth without as much fear of Margery assaulting her.

Of course, there was always the chance Margery would still challenge Aurora’s right to the throne and might even attack Mercia. But if that happened, she had an ally in Scania—at the very least an ally in me.

“So . . .” Mikkel eyed me as though watching my thoughts unfold. “This means you will not help us find Queen Aurora?”

“No doubt you have some of the best trackers already.” I nodded at the fierce-looking silver-toothed man. “If they are not able to locate Aurora, then what makes you think I can?”

“Because I know you,” Vilmar replied with an easy grin. “If there is a woman to be found, you are the one to do it. The ladies have always been attracted to you, like bees to a honeypot.”

“You’re right as usual.” I grinned in return though I wanted to grimace. I’d had enough of the conversation and needed to get out before I said or did anything to put Aurora in jeopardy. I gulped down the last of my ale, then stood, planting my cane and using it to steady my stiff limbs.

Jorg rose and retrieved our weapons belts.

“I wish you Godspeed and good fortune in taking a stand against Queen Margery, brothers.” I wrapped my belt around my waist, my axe on one side and my sword on the other. “I have every confidence you will find a way to triumph over her.”

Vilmar stood and clamped my shoulder. “Just not with your help?”

“I shall be of no use to you.” I kept my focus on my belt. “My time would be better spent finishing my Testing.”

The benches scraped against the floor as the rest of the men stood. Mikkel held himself stiffly, again watching me with a keenness that made me want to squirm.

Vilmar dipped his head and then took a step back. “If that is your decision, then I wish you the same. Godspeed and good fortune as you complete your Testing. Rest assured, I shall support the Lagting’s decision to give you the kingship and will pledge you my fealty.”

“I shall as well.” Mikkel bowed his head.

A pang shot through my chest, one I didn’t understand—except that their subservience didn’t feel right. “I look forward to the day in the not-so-distant future when we will all be home again. Until then, I shall pray for your safety.”

With that, I spun on my heels and hobbled out the door. I made a point of thanking Walter and his daughters while I waited for Jorg to