Ghost Fields - Book One of The Fields of Mendhavai Trilogy

Chapter Twenty Four

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

I vaguely remembered stirring sometime before dawn as Danu climbed under the blankets with me and wrapped his arms around my waist. Sun was streaming in the east windows, beaming brightly on my face now and I rolled over to put my back to the window. The bed was empty again except for me, although the place where Danu had lain was still warm.

A scraping sound came from the hearth and I looked toward it to find the prince stirring up the coals to ward off the morning’s chill.

“It rained in the night,” he commented quietly as I sat up and tugged the blankets around me, shivering. “No doubt your farmers will be happy once the dregs of last night’s celebrations wear off.”

When the flames were crackling again cheerfully, he crawled back into the bed with a woolen blanket which he wrapped around the two of us. I leaned against his strong shoulder, yawning sleepily. He chaffed his hand up and down my arm briskly to help warm me.

“My father wishes for you to call a council today to include him and the Navorans and anyone else you think appropriate to join us. You’ll need your scribe so we can recreate our old alliance, and he would like to ally as well with the Navorans.”

“I thought he had already,” I said, surprised.

“No. They’d petitioned him for an alliance, but he wanted to be sure they were genuine about helping Raldia first. Now they’ve proven themselves, and seeing as we are all in one place, we may as well get it done at once.”

I nodded and snuggled closer to him. “Now?”

“No, my Lady. The King is still abed as it is barely dawn and he and I were up quite late last night.”

“Mmm,” I mumbled into the crook of his neck. “I missed you last night.”

His arms tightened around me. “And I, you.”

We dozed tangled in each other’s arms for several more candlemarks before a knock preceded a sleepy-eyed Corina into the room. I watched her lazily as she brought water to heat on the hearth and filled the tub. Then she disappeared again without a word.

“You first,” Danu mumbled, his head covered by a pillow. “I’d like a few more minutes.”

I lifted the pillow enough to shove my own head under and give him a quick kiss, but he caught me as I backed away and pressed his lips to mine again in a longer one which I gladly returned.

“The water’s getting cold, my Lady,” Corina said as the door opened and closed again and I heard her set a tray down on the dressing table.

I sighed and slipped out from underneath the covers. Standing by the tub, Corina unlaced my gown and I stepped in to the deliciously hot water, shivering as goose bumps coursed over my skin. I soaked until the water started to cool, and then dried and dressed myself as Corina refilled the tub for Danu. I sent her to gather the Navorans, Compa, Veyga, Lauda and Torsten and have them assemble in the council room.

While Danu bathed we ate the dried fruits and cheeses Corina had left us for breakfast. He was quick about his bath and dressing, as we were both eager to see this historical day through. Jaden’s clothes were beginning to fit him rather tightly, but I liked the way they clung to his muscular arms and legs.

“What?” he asked, as I eyed him coyly.

“Oh, nothing…” I replied sweetly as I stepped out the door into the hallway.

“My Lady, you’ve called for a meeting? Is everything all right?” Compa asked as he and Veyga joined us on the way to the council chamber.

“Everything is wonderful, Compa. You brought your quill and parchment? Good.”