The Bastard Prince by Katherine Kurtz Read Free Book Online Page B

shoulder.
    â€œHave we not prayed for this day to come, my lord?” she whispered. “Not the parting, but the chance to assert your kingship. ’Tis so sudden, though—but a night away. Must you really leave so soon?”
    He closed his eyes briefly, desperate fear churning at his gut, then sighed and sat up, turning slightly from her gaze.
    â€œIf I let them delay, they may find some new reason not to let me go,” he said bleakly. “Besides that, if Culliecairn really is taken, as seems certain, then best to resolve the situation before Torenthi forces get too strongly entrenched there.”
    â€œI know you must go,” she whispered, brushing her hand down his arm. “I would ride with you if I could. You know I would.”
    â€œAye, my love, and I would take you with me,” he replied. He dropped his gaze briefly, then held her close again.
    â€œOh, God, Mika, what if I don’t come back?” he whispered. “What will become of you? What will become of our sons?”
    â€œI will—try to be strong for them and for you,” she said softly, tears welling in her eyes. “I will give my life, if need be, to see that they survive—and that they do not forget their Haldane legacy. The crown will be free again, someday, my love—I swear it!”
    â€œAh, my fierce, proud queen,” he murmured. “Now I really don’t want to go. And I especially don’t want to go tomorrow, even though I’ve lived for this day for six long years now—the chance to actually be a king. I wish you could have seen me at court, Mika.”
    â€œI wish I could have been there,” she countered softly. “Would that I could be at your side now—and tomorrow. We must—make tonight suffice for all our tomorrows.”
    She would have said more, but an enormous yawn caught her by surprise. After indulging it, she stretched and drew him to her for a quick, hard kiss, then flashed him a sheepish and apologetic smile.
    â€œI must be certain to have a nap this afternoon,” she said. “’Tis no reflection on the company, I assure you, but growing this baby seems to take such a great deal more energy than Owain—”
    A knock at the door made them both freeze, and Rhys Michael reluctantly turned his gaze in that direction, though he kept his arms around her.
    â€œCome.”
    Cathan poked his head into the doorway, tentative and immediately apologetic as he saw them. One of his hands clutched the sheathed Haldane sword, the other a thin gold circlet chased with Celtic interlace.
    â€œSorry, Mika,” he said, glancing at his sister. “Rhysem, they’re ready for us.”
    Closing his eyes briefly, the king heaved a heavy sigh and got to his feet, drawing Michaela with him.
    â€œI don’t want to go,” he whispered.
    â€œYou must, my love,” she replied, lifting her face to his. “Go with my love and my prayers.”
    With only her brother as witness, Rhys Michael felt no need to forgo a proper kiss of leave-taking. Pressing his lips to hers, he let himself drown for a few seconds in the bliss of their joining, more than usually aware that any parting might be their last, if that proved most expedient for the men who held their fate. When, at length, he finally raised his head from hers, his body ached from wanting her. He held her close a moment more, feeling her heart pounding beneath his, then resolutely kissed first the tip of her nose, then her forehead.
    â€œRight, then. I’m off.” His voice was a little hoarse. “We’ll dine privately, I think. Cathan can join us for supper, because I know you’ll want to say good-bye, but he goes to bed early.” He grinned. “Make sure you get that nap. I should be back in a few hours.”
    Bravely blinking back her tears, Michaela followed him into the solar and watched him continue on into his own apartments with Cathan,