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around her waist,
assisting her. “There is still time. Right now we must focus on
your health and that of our child.” He could feel Luana tense as he
lowered her into an ornate old wooden carved chair by the glowing
hearth. He knelt down before her, placing a hand on her own small
hands that lay in her lap. “Luana, I love you and you alone.”
    Baylin could see the thin silver line of
tears forming in Luana’s emerald eyes. It hurt his heart to know
she was in pain. Anything but your tears.
    Master Keon entered the room. The
hunched-over old man wobbled feebly as he made his way over to the
couple. “My dear Prince Baylin, she should be in bed.”
    Baylin stood and turned to the physician.
“The warmth of the fire comforts her.”
    Luana spoke weakly. “Master Keon, thank you
for your care. May I please return to my chamber?”
    “I must insist,” the old man squeaked, “that
you remain on bed rest for the sake of the child.”
    Baylin could see the anguish in Luana’s eyes
as she spoke. “But I…”
    “Master Keon,” Baylin interrupted,
“certainly she can as easily stay in bed in her own chamber. Being
in the comfort of her own room would surely help her to
recover.”
    The old man stood staring at the floor,
presumably pondering what Baylin had said. He was such an elderly,
slow man. By the gods, has he nodded off? The Prince became
irritated. Perhaps it is time to appoint a new physician. He
was losing his patience. He gave a deep sigh. “Master Keon?”
    The physician nodded to attention at the
sound of the Prince’s stern tone. “Oh, I suppose.”
    Luana attempted to stand up from the
timeworn chair, but swayed with dizziness at the effort.
    Baylin hoisted her up into his arms and
proceeded to carry her back to their bedchambers.
    As he made his way down the long stairwell,
Luana clung to him as the chill of the cold kissed her skin. The
halls and stairways of the castle were brightly lit by torches and
candles, but this did little to fight off the icy cold winter had
brought.
    As he descended the stairwell, Luana laid
her head against Baylin’s shoulder. “Have you seen her?”
    “Who?” Baylin asked.
    “Princess Isla,” Luana said. “Have you ever
met her?”
    The words hurt. I do not want to discuss
this. It will only bring her pain. Baylin managed a slight nod
in acknowledgement of Luana’s question.
    “When?” Luana pressed.
    “Just a few times over the years. She
visited Grasmere for my parents’ anniversary ball nearly ten years
ago. I have also been to Mirstone with Lord Cadman,” Baylin
explained. “It was all on business for the Kingdoms.”
    Luana was silent for a while as Baylin
carried her down yet another long, cold hall. Finally she asked,
“Is she beautiful?”
    “Dearest, please don’t...” Baylin
begged.
    “It’s a perfectly acceptable question.” He
could hear the pain in Luana’s voice when she spoke. “Do you think
she’s beautiful?”
    As he carried her down the corridor to their
chamber, he looked her in the eyes. “Some may say she is, but I
cannot call anything beautiful unless I am speaking of you.”
    The words brought a soft smile to her
lips.
    Arriving back in their warm bedchamber,
Baylin carried Luana to the bed. “You must rest now, dearest.”
    He was making his way over to stir the fire
when Luana’s soft words pierced his heart. “When you marry Isla,
will these be her chambers?”
    Baylin turned to face her, bothered not only
by the question, but even more so at the very thought that it was
causing Luana worry and sorrow. “It does not need to be discussed
now. You must rest.”
    Luana rose from the bed slowly, making her
way over to him. “I want to know. Will these be her chambers? What
is to become of me?”
    Baylin could not look her in the eyes as
they threatened to well up with tears. Those stubbornly brave,
hurt eyes; why must she force me to do this to her? He turned
his gaze to the fire. “Tradition dictates that once I have