Page 253 (1/2)

"The queen wished s"

It had been explained to Karigan that the forester of Coutre--sent with the expedition into Blackveil with orders to murder her--had not, in fact, been sent by Estora but by her cousin, theand no one to interfere with his cousin’s betrothal to the king

"How is the queen?" Karigan asked

"Resting in bed as ordered by Master Vanlynn We are expecting twins" Like a force he could not control, he s in his eyes

"I heard," she said "Congratulations"

It was odd, but in her notes, Karigan had seen a reference to Estora having had only one child All had changed, unless one of the babies did notabout it, but it reetings to the queen"

Their conversation was stilted, had an unreality to it

"I will I have advised Captain Mapstone that you are to take as much time as you need to recover"

"I hope to be back on duty as soon as possible"

He raised his eyebrows "Truly? After all you’ve been through? Your eye?"

"Yes" She needed to work, to keep hershe could stand to remain in the castle with him married to Estora and all the anticipation of the babies She needed to move on She did not want to sit around and stew over as or ht have been She’d become stuck, unable to function She wasn’t sure, but she didn’t think Cade Harloould want that for her

Cade, Cade, Cade

The king studied her for some moments She could tell there was much he wished to say, but prudence prevented hih so e it all if I could"