Cursed By The Gods Book 1 and 2

Chapter 33

Emilia followed the servant in the simple white tunic down the hall to the dining room. As she went she couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the hall, the hangings on the wall, the silver sconces that adorned the walls were there had been wrought iron lamp holders. She realized once again that her father had made the right choice in electing Helos as the next to the throne, any other man would not have done what Helos had been able to do.

“This way, my lady.”

She pulled her wits back around her and turned in the direction the servant was pointing. The dining was done in shades of cream and purple, the one chairs around the hardwood table were covered with purple velvet and the back of each chair was beautifully carved. The soft rug swallowed her feet as she stepped on it making her marvel once more at the wealth of Helos.

“If you keep opening your mouth like that, my princess, I fear I may have to blindfold you.”

She startled and realized Helos was standing at the head of the dining table. Beside him was an incredibly beautiful woman with long dark hair styled high atop her head. She was lovely and had the sweetest smile. Emilia looked her over and stopped short at the swollen belly the table failed to conceal, jealousy ran through her fiercely.

“Everyone has that reaction when they see what my husband has been able to do here,” the lady said in a deep throaty voice. “And he loves to shock them too.”

Helos laughed. He left his seat and came forward to help her to the table where he pulled a chair out for her to sit.

“This is my wife Delia, Delia this is Queen Emilia of Camelorn daughter of King Festus of Intavia.”

“The painters could capture your beauty well enough, Queen Emilia.” Delia placed her hands on the tables delicately.

Emilia smiled. “Do call me Emilia please. How is the baby doing?” She tried to remove the bite from her question.

Delia rubbed her belly lovingly. “Kicking a lot. The midwives assure me it’s a boy.”

Emilia started to congratulate her but the words of congratulations died in her throat as tears rose, she settled for a grin and a nod instead.

Helos frowned at the look on Emilia’s face, it was one of untold sadness that had crept into her eyes the moment her eyes fell on Delia. Without a word he took his place at the table and called for the meal. Servants brought roasted birds, steamed peas and corn bread to the table, jars of wine and water were placed at the center of the table. Helos began serving, heaping his platter with peas before passing the dish to his wife who in turn passed it to Emilia. The food was so good that for a moment Emilia forgot her troubles and indulged herself until she had her fill.

As she ate she noted the quality of the silver cutlery, it was just as good as that of Camelorn. The servants, just like in Camelorn, stood in the shadows waiting for the call to clear the table. She marveled at the new faces she saw, many of them with passive faces as a result of their training. She wondered if it was Delia’s idea it to employ such competent workers in the palace.

“My husband has said a lot about you between yesterday and early this morning.”

Helos laughed and glanced at her. “I’m sorry, I had to fill her in on the every single detail of our guest.”

“Good details, Emilia. He told me about the proposed marriage between you two.” When she saw the discomfort in Emilia’s composure she hastened to assure her “Don’t get it wrong my lady, he told me of how you fought your father tooth and nail to be with the one your heart longs for. I am very romantic too, it’s how I got Helos in the first place.” A soft look passed between them.

Emilia relaxed. It was a look she knew too well, she and Octavius had shared it for years and still did. She couldn’t help but smile at the apparent happiness Delia and Helos shared.

“You are right, Delia. Although, now that I see how successful he is I fear I am beginning to regret.”

Delia laughed hard and suddenly winced. “I think I must have done too much laughing,” she chuckled. “You are such a delightful person to meet, Emilia.”

“And you too.”

Halfway through the meal Delia pushed her platter back and excused herself, the baby was kicking hard and she needed to lay down. Helos stood and called for a guard to accompany her to her chambers, when he was sure she was safely on her way to rest he sat back down and finished his meal. Emilia did too and pushed her seat backwards. The servants came up and cleared the table.

“We should take a walk around and talk,” Helos suggested.

“Yes we should, then you will tell me how you were able to make so many changes in my father’s palace.”

Helos stood first and helped her with her chair. He offered her his arm which she politely declined, even though he found it funny that she would do that he refused to comment. He led her the balcony outside the dining. The balcony ran throughout the second floor and on every other floor except from the tower at the top there were balconies with short stairs connecting them.

“It’s incredible what you have been able to do.”

“It’s incredible what we both would have done if you had married me. Were you serious with what you told my wife?”

Emilia gasped. “I was joking.”

Helos laughed heartedly. “I know that, I was joking too. Your face looked like you were deep in thought even as you admired my hard work.”

Emilia sighed inwardly. She couldn’t help it. It was nice of Helos to invite her to celebrate in the birth of his child but it was unfair since she had none of her own, not that he knew it of course. He had love and a baby on the way while she had only love, a child would complete her happiness. She loved Octavius a lot but a family was what she needed.

Helos noticed the pensive mood return to Emilia’s face so he offered her his hand. She looked up at him in surprise, he nodded at her and took her hand. “Let me show you to your old room.”

He climbed the stairs to the third and fourth floor. Emilia looked out over the edge of the balcony at the village that was once again bustling with activities. Men and women moved about buying and selling, children ran about with one another laughing and playing with wooden swords and shields. From her view on at the balcony she spotted Ilena exploring the market before Helos pulled her into a darkened room.

He left her side and pulled open the curtain letting light spill into the room. Emilia gasped at the familiar room she had grown in, the very room Ilena had taught all the basics of being a proper lady, the room she had played in with her dolls, where her mother had come in to kiss her goodnight. Gone were the old furniture, in their place were newer furniture of fine wood. The only that wasn’t changed was the very dresser on which she had cried after sacrificing her child, it brought back painful memories for her until she tore her gaze from it and made her way around the room touching every curtain, finely grained furniture, the cool stone wall.

“It brings back memories, ehn?”

“Far too many of them.” She made her way to the dresser and ran her fingers over it, unconsciously laying her other hand on her belly. “I thought for sure you would have either pulled it down or made it into something else.”

“Delia thought it would make a good nursery for the child.”

“Oh.”

Helos frowned. Her back was to him but he could see the tension in her body, the droop in her shoulders. He walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her around to face him.

“Emilia.” When she refused to answer he asked the question that burned on his tongue. “Do you not have a child of your own?”

She shook her head and drew back the tears that threatened to fall. “Ilena thinks I may be pregnant but I don’t know for sure. She wants us to visit someone who will confirm it but I can’t believe it, Helos. It’s being too long, a few more years and I will be beyond the child bearing age.”

Helos nodded sympathetically. He had read as much in her composure, she never seemed to know how to handled issues of children or child birth, sadness crept into her eyes every time Delia rubbed her swollen belly at the table. He knew how hard it was for her, a queen without a child, male or female, was considered an overpriced object. He put his hands around her shoulders and hugged her close to comfort her.

“You could be. The gods have their ways, they may have looked upon you with kindness. Does your husband know about it?”

“No,” she responded. “I am still not sure.”

“It is fine. Okay?”

She nodded and stepped back. “Thank you, Helos.” She suddenly laughed as she realized the oddity of their situation. “Where did you learn to be so kind and compassionate?”

Helos laughed too. “Turns out having a wife and a child on the way does wonders to a man’s heart.” He put his hands together. “Come Queen Emilia, you should enjoy your homeland while you are here instead of walking around moping and brooding.”