Beyond the High Road by Troy Denning Read Free Book Online

surprised, and Tanalasta knew that in his eagerness to vindicate his mother, he would take her bait. She waited quietly and continued to look in Merelda’s direction, nodding pleasantly when Lady Marliir flashed a puzzled smile.
    Finally, Dauneth said, “Now that you mention it, I did see her talking to the royal magician earlier this morning. He must have told her to behave as though we were betrothed.”
    “And what did he tell you?” Tanalasta’s tone was casual.
    Dauneth turned in his seat. “I beg your pardon?”
    “I thought we were going to be honest with each other, good warden.” Tanalasta removed her hand from his arm, then said, “I know Vangey too well to think he would execute only half a plan. When were you to ask me?”
    Dauneth closed his eyes for a moment, then sighed. “During our dance. I was to whisper the question in your ear. But I knew nothing about my mother. That surprised me as much as it did you.”
    “Which does nothing to excuse your own behavior.” Tanalasta cast a furious glance across the rostrum at Vangerdahast, who remained oblivious to her anger and watched in weary amusement as the king set a silver clockwork cat after a golden mouse. “Why, Dauneth?”
    “Why what?”
    “Why would you do this?” Tanalasta was struggling to hold back tears of rage. “I know you didn’t do it for the throne-not after the loyalty you showed during the Abraxus Affair. So why did you betray me?”
    “I…” Dauneth looked away
    Tanalasta noticed several nobles watching from the ballroom floor. She ignored them. “Tell me.”
    When Dauneth looked back to her, his face was stern. “I did not betray you. If anyone is a betrayer here, it is you.”
    Tanalasta raised her brow, shocked. “Me?”
    “To your duty,” Dauneth said. “If you do not produce an heir, the Abraxus Affair will be a mere game compared to what follows your father’s passing.”
    “My reign will follow my father’s passing,” Tanalasta said.
    “And without an heir of your own, your reign will be one of plots and intrigues, with every noble family maneuvering to claim the throne upon your death. Sooner or later, one of them will see an advantage in assassinating you, and Cormyr will have a usurper for a king-or a war to unseat him.”
    “And you think to prevent this travesty by getting a child on me? I think not. I will have a husband I can trust-or none at all.”
    The hurt showed in Dauneth’s eyes. “I meant no offense, milady, nor do I say this for my own good, but you must take a husband, and soon. If you are angry with me, there are plenty to choose from.” He pointed into the crowd below. “There is Amanthus Rowanmantle if you fancy someone handsome, or one of the Silversword boys if you like wit, and perhaps even Dier Emmarask if you prefer someone who shares your love of learning.”
    “Thank you for the suggestions,” Tanalasta said, struck by the absurdity of Dauneth recommending his own rivals. “If I were to choose a husband I did not love, it would probably be you. Even if I cannot trust you, you are loyal to Cormyr and that counts for much.”
    “Thank you, milady.” A hopeful light returned to Dauneth’s eyes. “Do you really have time to think of love? We must think of Cormyr.”
    “I am thinking of Cormyr.” Tanalasta started to rebuke the warden for trying to argue her into marrying him, then realized there was no point. She did not love Dauneth, and she was not going to marry him. “I am always thinking of Cormyr.”
    “If that is true, you will-“
    “Dauneth, please don’t presume to tell me what is good for Cormyr.”
    The warden flushed and looked away, clearly aware that he had been doing just that. Tanalasta wanted to explain to him, to tell Dauneth of the vision she had experienced at Huthduth, but how could she expect him to understand something she could barely put into words? The revelation had been one of those slippery things that a sharp mind could twist into a