The King's Wife

22

Ismay tied off her robe and joined Elena at the table. The woman was positively beaming as she hummed, preparing plates. It humored Ismay, but she sighed with mock exasperation. "Whatever you want to say, please go ahead and say it."

Elena, following her game, looked up at her with her own mocked confusion. "Me?  Say something?" she said then grinned. "I have nothing to say Ismay as long as you're content."

Ismay took a mug of ale Elena had poured for her and took a drink considering. "I am content, at least in everything that doesn't concern my family or the other kingdoms."

The older woman nodded just as Gabriel joined them. She beamed at him, handing him a plate before sitting herself next to Ismay. "Should I have your things returned back into this room?"

"Back into this room?" Ismay said, looking at them both with confusion.

"Ah, this room was originally mine," Gabriel said, giving her a tight smile. "I thought, originally, we would be sharing it. When I realized we, uh, wouldn't be, I moved myself and my things to another room."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It didn't seem worth mentioning," he replied. "And I wasn't going to make you leave simply because our situation wasn't as I expected it to be."

"That's very kind of you," Ismay said then remembering Elena's question. "Yes, Elena you can have his things returned here."

"Are you sure? There is no reason to rush anything and I don't mind the room I'm staying in currently," Gabriel told her.

"Yes, I am. I will admit, after everything, having someone else in the room is...comforting."

"Thank you," Gabriel said to took her hand, kissing it.

Elena grinned at them, obviously pleased and they ate their meal. When they were finished and she cleared the plates then started to leave. "Oh, Elena. Can you please call my sister? I'm going to need her assistance."

"Of course," Elena replied and left.

"What are you up to, My queen?" Gabriel said, starting to dress.

Ismay grinned, though it wasn't a happy smile. "First I must ask you a question."

"Ask me anything."

"Mother said I needed to prove I had not lost my sense of loyalty and where such loyalty lays. Today, I'm going to do just that. It's going to quite possibly ensure there will be war. Is that something you and Darug are ready and capable of facing?"

Gabriel gave her a curious look as he buttoned up his shirt. "I guess that would depend on where your loyalties lay," he said, his tone guarded. "If you wish to return to Verun, give your father your loyalty I won't stop you and it will not be a cause of war." Ismay watched as he visibly took a breath. The thought of her casting her lot with her father obviously bothered him. "However, if you're loyalty is to me and Darug which will no doubt infuriate your family and lead to war then yes, I and Darug are ready."

She offered him another smile. This one a little happier than the last one. "Good. Can you arrange the emissaries to be taken to the throne room in an hour?"

"Of course," Gabriel said and finished dressing. He walked over to Ismay who still sat at the table, drinking her ale. "Everything will be ready as you ask for it." He brushed her cheek with the tips of his fingers. "And once more, thank you, Ismay. For everything." With a quick, chaste kiss that left Ismay breathless, he left the room.

Ismay scowled as her cheeks flushed. One would think after so many kisses, she'd be used to them by now. Yet, the most simple of Gabriel's kisses sent a rush of chaos through her just like the first one. She got up from the chair and paced the room, waiting for Penelope to arrive. Ismay didn't have to wait long before the door opened and Penelope came into the room with a flourish.