She wondered what it was. Was he going to ask her to marry him? Her heart swelled at the thought. There was nothing she wanted more. But she did not understand why he had not asked her yet. Were his feelings not as strong as hers?
She prayed that was not the case. She reached down and grabbed her stomach, remembered Argon’s words, and could not help feeling just a little bit stronger each day, feeling with every ounce of her body that she was carrying Thor’s child. A mystical, powerful child.
Gwendolyn heard a noise and turned, and in the distance she saw a single man hurrying through the fields, trotting her way. She looked closely, at his short stature, his hunched back, his pronounced limp, and she remembered: Steffen. She had sent one of her attendants to summon him, not knowing if he would come. She was thrilled that he had.
Gwen never forgot those who were kind to her—especially those who saved her life—and she wanted to repay Steffen for his kindness. She hated the idea of him slaving away in the servants’ quarters, especially after what he had done for her. It just wasn’t fair. He was a good man, who was misjudged by his appearance. She had to admit, even she had misjudged him at first.
Steffen approached, removing his hat and bowing low before her, his forehead drenched in sweat.
“My lady,” he said. “I came as soon as you called for me.”
Krohn came running over, stood protectively beside Gwen, and growled at Steffen.
“Krohn, it’s okay,” Gwen said. “He’s one of us.”
Krohn instantly relaxed, the hairs dropping on his back, his ears lowering, as if he understood. He stepped forward and as Steffen held out a hand, Krohn licked it. He then jumped up and licked Steffen’s face.
Steffen laughed.
“He is the most affectionate leopard cub I’ve ever met,” Steffen said.
“If you’re on his good side,” Gwen replied. “Thank you for coming. I didn’t know if you would.”
“And why wouldn’t I?”
“With Gareth ruling, it seems dangerous to be anywhere near me. After all, look at what happened to Firth. I thought perhaps you might be afraid to be involved anymore.”
Steffen shrugged.
“There’s little left that frightens me, my lady. After thirty years of sleeping in a basement, I honestly haven’t much to lose. I’m not afraid of kings. It’s injustice that I fear.”
She surveyed Steffen and could see that he was telling the truth. The more time she spent with him, the more respect she had for this man, a funny, quirky man, who saw the world his way. He was much wiser and more intelligent than she had given him credit for, and she felt so indebted to him for what he had done for her. She felt that he was a close friend, one of few people in this court she could really trust.
“I’ve called you here because I never had a chance to properly thank you,” she said.
“You have nothing to thank me for, my lady.”
“But I do. And I always repay my debts. I do not hold it fair in my eyes that you continue to be a servant when you have saved the life of a royal. I owe you a great debt, and I wish to repay you. Please tell me how. Would you like wealth? A new position?”
Steffen shook his head.
“My lady, I have no need for wealth. Perhaps in my youth, but not now. I have no place I call home. I sleep in a small room adjacent to the servants’ quarters. I have no family—at least none that will acknowledge me. I have no one and nothing in the world. So I have no need for things. That is how it has always been with me.”
Gwendolyn felt her heart breaking.
“But that is unfair,” she said.
He shrugged.
“That is the way of the world. Some people are born with much, and others with less.”
“But it is never too late,” she said. “I want to at least elevate your position. I want to give you a job elsewhere, with more dignity.”
“As long as your brother is king, I wish to be nowhere near him. The basements suits me just fine.”
“And what if there should be a new ruler one day?” she asked.
He looked right through her, understanding her instantly. He was more perceptive than she thought.
“My lady, if you are that ruler, and I pray to the gods that you will be one day, then I would be honored to fill any position you would