Fire Song (Medieval Song 2)

Kassia’s hand itched to slap her face, but her voice sounded quite mild. “Must you show your jealousy, Joanna? It makes your face appear quite plain, you know.”

She felt a moment of satisfaction when Joanna quickly raised her hand to her face, as if to assure herself that every feature was still in place.

“Kassia!”

Graelam’s dark eyes glittered with anger at Joanna, but his smile was gentle as he gazed down at his wife. “Come, Edward wishes to celebrate his victory.”

She walked quietly beside him, her thoughts on the little girl, Glenda.

“Do not let her distress you,” Graelam said.

“She is like a bothersome insect,” Kassia said coolly. “I do not heed her.”

“Then why is your face flushed?”

Kassia stopped, turned slowly, and studied her husband’s face. “I met your daughter.”

If she expected to see guilt ravage his features, she was doomed to disappointment. Graelam merely looked at her blankly, a black brow raised in silent question.

“Did you meet Sir Mark, a friend of Sir Jerval’s?”

“Aye, but what has that to do with this daughter of mine?”

“His wife, Lady

Mary, grew up with Lady Chandra. She was at Croyland when you took the castle.”

Slowly memory righted itself. “It was long ago,” Graelam said slowly. “A very long time ago.”

“Was she your mistress?”

“Nay. I took her by force to gain Chandra’s compliance.”

Kassia gaped at him, shocked. “You forced a lady?”

He flushed, and it angered him. A man could do whatever he wished, without the condemnation of his damned wife! A muscle jumped in his jaw. “That is enough,” he said coldly. “It was a long time ago, as I told you, and I do not wish to hear you rant at me anymore.” He added, seeing the horror still in her eyes, “I am sorry for it. I was very angry at the time, and frustrated.”

“As angry and frustrated as you were with me?” Kassia asked quietly.

Again his face darkened, but he did not respond. After a long moment he said stiffly, “I seem to do little that pleases you. Will this news send you plotting again to escape me?”

She shook her head.

He gave a growl of laughter. “At least you no longer protest your innocence. Do not tell me that Chandra is teaching you the value of keeping your spiteful tongue behind your teeth? Ah, there are Sir Guy and his lovely bride.”

“You are looking well, Kassia,” Guy said, briefly touching her small hands.

“And you, Guy. Does all go well with you?”

“Aye, and soon I will be a father.”

Kassia was surprised at the twisting jealousy she felt at his words. She turned to Blanche and said quietly, “Congratulations, Blanche. You are very . . . lucky.”

Guy saw the uncertainty in his wife’s eyes, and quickly pulled her against him, hugging her close. He kissed her cheek, whispering as he did so, “Easy, my love. Let Graelam and Kassia see your winsome side.”

“Thank you,” Blanche said. Then, to her own surprise, she smiled widely, her eyes going inadvertently to her husband’s face.

“Guy,” Graelam called, “bring your conceited ass here. I wish you to meet Sir Jerval.”