The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(52)

By making that choice, which I did freely and of my own will, I knew that I condemned you to be a prisoner. This was painful to me, Collier, for I know your history. If there was a way I could have rescued you from Naess, please believe me that I would have. I am grieved at what you have had to suffer because of me, and I have thought of it constantly these past months.

Now that I have spoken the truth to you, insofar as I know it, it may change your feelings about our marriage. Despite all that has happened between us, I do not see the future as being entirely without hope. You and I were plight trothed when we were infants. Perhaps, in time, you can forgive the unintentional deceptions involved in our relationship. I truly seek to make amends any way that I can.

Please forgive me, Maia

Suzenne looked up from the letter and gently handed it back to her. Then with a quiver in her jaw, she stood and pulled Maia into a firm embrace. The two held each other, weeping softly, and Maia felt the healing balm that comes from having shared a confidence with a friend. Suzenne pulled away first, wiping her cheeks, and shook her head.

“I did not consider,” she said, choking, “how painful it must have been for you when Dodd and I . . .”

Maia shook her head. “I am grateful the two of you are happy. He is a maston, and you will soon become one. I am not too envious.”

Suzenne wiped her nose. “But how can you have a husband? Did you not . . . consummate the marriage on your wedding night?”

Maia shook her head. “No, we did not. It was a political union, and he knew I was on a mission elsewhere. Collier swore I would not leave him until I had agreed to the marriage and said my oaths. But I think as we spent time together, got to know each other, he started to have feelings for me . . . just as I did for him. At times it seemed he did not believe the legends.”

“Yes, but believing something is not true does not make it untrue,” Suzenne said, wrinkling her brow. “Many leave the abbeys because they do not want to believe the Medium is real, despite all the evidence.”

“Evidence indeed,” Maia said, shaking her head. “Somehow the Medium brought him here.”

“I know! It is more than a coincidence.”

“What shall I do?” Maia said, wringing her hands. “I need to talk to him, to tell him the truths that are in that letter. But he is so angry, Suzenne. He is so hurt.”

“I could see it,” she agreed. “I did not know the situation at all, but that much was clear to me. Was he hurtful to you in the garden?”

Maia nodded, not wanting to repeat some of the accusations he had made.

Suzenne started pacing, tapping her lip with her finger as she walked. “Do you think he is staying at the Pilgrim with Captain Carew?”

“Yes, but it is outside the abbey. If I went there, they would seize me at once.”

“But the tunnels go beneath the walls of the abbey,” Suzenne said. “There is one that goes to the Pilgrim. I know it does!”

Maia’s eyes widened. “I had not thought of that.”

“Let me call for Owen to fetch Jon Tayt. He can deliver your letter.”

Maia’s heart began to skip. “Collier and Jon Tayt know each other.”

“I will send for him right away.”



Jon Tayt leaned against the wall and walked his thumbs into his wide belt. Argus sat on his haunches next to him, his tail wagging rhythmically. Maia and Suzenne watched the hunter closely, waiting for him to speak. The firelight from their Leering glinted off his coppery hair.

He sighed dramatically. “If it must be done, it must be done. But by Cheshu, Lady Maia, I am not suited for such wooing.”

Maia suppressed a smile. “Do you think my intention is wrong?”

“I do, indeed.”

“Then what would you advise?” Maia asked.

“Burn the letter. Right now. Once it leaves your hands, it is irretrievable. It is enough evidence for him to have you butchered by those pigs, the Naestors. Collier may resent it. He likely will. You used too many words. He is a man. He understands two things. One—whether he is hungry. And two—whether he can best another man with a weapon. All this talk is romantic nonsense. He is no love-smitten fool.”

Maia’s shoulders slumped.

“Your advice is appreciated,” Suzenne said, but she cocked her head. “May I ask, Jon Tayt, how many times you have been married or been in love?”

“Nary a one,” he said proudly, beaming.

“Then perhaps another voice should prevail. Yes, it was a political match that can be ended with a scribe’s quill and ink. But it is still a legal marriage, for it was performed in front of witnesses, as Maia said, and sworn before a Dochte Mandar. It will not be easy for him to cast aside such a binding union. Maia is still the Queen of Dahomey.”

Jon Tayt shook his head. “No, she is not.”

Suzenne looked confused.

“Must I remind you of such things? When does a prince become a king? When he has been anointed such by one in authority. By the Aldermastons. Maia is his wife, but she is not his queen, not until a coronation is done in the presence of mastons, knights, and the populace.” He raised his hands. “It is not too late for him to end the marriage.”

“But Maia is the king’s daughter! He will still want the union.” Suzenne’s cheeks were flushed.