The King's Traitor (Kingfountain #3)(13)

Owen arranged the meeting for her sitting room, and had Etayne join them. The poisoner quickly opened and inspected the secret doors and spy holes where the king could covertly watch the meeting. That was another reason Lady Kathryn did not enjoy spending time in the rooms. Although she knew about his penchant for watching her secretly, she had to pretend otherwise.

After Etayne nodded that the room was secure from eavesdroppers, Lady Kathryn’s expression wilted with anxiousness.

“How is he?” she whispered nervously. He wasn’t sure who she was referring to—her husband or her son.

“Your husband is enduring as bravely as he can,” Owen said dejectedly. Being with her always made him uneasy. He was the one who had deceived Eyric into leaving sanctuary and had arrested him. Lady Kathryn had never forgotten that, and while she appreciated his intercessions, her look was always wary and distrustful. “I brought this for you.”

He dropped the book on the table. It was the one he had taken from Holistern Tower. Eyric left her little messages scribbled in the margins of the book. To someone picking it up, the words were crafted in a way to make it look like he was making notes or commenting on passages that were meaningful to him. But when he underlined words about love and affection, they were the jailed man’s only way of expressing his feelings for his wife.

Kathryn’s eyes filled with emotion, and she reverently lifted the book and pressed it to her breast. “Thank you, Owen,” she said sincerely. “I know you risk a great deal helping us.”

He shrugged and sighed, watching Etayne as she examined one of the globes on the table against the far wall. “I do what I can. I’ve also come from North Cumbria. The boy is healthy. He’s a strapping lad. Very guarded and serious. He has your eyes.”

She blinked quickly, trying to master her emotions again. “When can I see him? Is there any way you can arrange it? It might kill me, but I would give anything just to tousle his hair.”

Owen shook his head. “That’s not likely to happen anytime soon, Kathryn. Lord Catsby has been named Duke of North Cumbria.”

Kathryn blanched. “You cannot be serious. That is dreadful news. What does that mean for the Queen of Atabyrion? I thought she would be the heir!”

“So did she,” Owen said darkly. “But Severn won’t trust one person with too much power. Even though she’s Horwath’s heir, she’s also Iago Llewellyn’s wife, and the king would rather enrich his own supporters than bolster a potential rival.”

Kathryn’s eyes narrowed with anger. “It is unjust.”

“As you’ve already learned for yourself, the world has been that way for quite some time. There is little I can do about it. The decision was made before I even arrived. Catsby is already making an oaf of himself. But I came here with a particular favor to ask of you.”

She gave him a startled look. “Whatever can I do? I’m a prisoner here.”

“Trust me, you should prefer this cell to the one in which Eyric sits.”

She flushed and shook her head. “I would rather stay in that drafty tower with him.”

Owen believed she meant it. “It’s not drafty, Kathryn. It’s not like it was with Tunmore. If there were a way to bring you both together, you know I would. Some of the Espion are loyal to me, but I can’t trust that they all are.”

“What is this favor you spoke of?”

He swallowed. “The king fears that Iago may be a risk in the short term, following his decision. So he’s bringing another hostage to join the palace. Iago and Elysabeth’s eldest, their daughter, Genevieve. She’s taken a fancy to your son,” he added with a bittersweet smile. “They have been playfellows. Severn will bring her to the palace. I was wondering if you would look after her. She may be frightened being so far away from Edonburick.”

Kathryn’s expression changed to one of sympathy and delight. “Of course I will! Dear child, of course! I will do all that I can to help her. Thank you, Owen, for thinking of me. It would help me endure the loneliness better.”

Owen smiled, pleased by her reaction. “Thank you. Now for the bitter tidings.” He started to pace, as he usually did while mulling through all of his problems. How best to introduce the next bit of news?

“I don’t like your countenance,” she told him worriedly.

“You shouldn’t,” he said with a grunt. “The king has ordered Etayne and me to leave the palace. In fact, we’ll be leaving the kingdom shortly on a mission of . . . oh, how should we put this?” He gave Etayne a pleading look.

“Diplomacy,” she supplied with a smirk.

“That’s as good a word as any other. I’m going to threaten the Duchess of Brythonica. Etayne was ordered to go with me.”

Kathryn’s face blanched and then she started to tremble. “You’re leaving me alone with him,” she said in a subdued, terrified voice.

The look on her face made his stomach twist into knots. “Yes, I’m afraid that’s true,” he said softly.

Kathryn walked a few steps to a table and planted her palms on the flat surface, her shoulders quivering. “Both of you must go?” she asked pleadingly.

“The king orders it,” Owen said helplessly. “I do not think we will be gone for long. You must be strong, Kathryn. You know the king has power in his voice. You must not let him touch you, even for a moment.”