Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 9

He couldn’t believe it. He had heard so many stories of the Ice Queen, and none of them had been pleasant. He never understood why his father King Leon wanted her as an ally. His father had met with her and other Kings, so he had talked with her. He must have known she was a fair person, but he would still refer to her as the Ice Queen. He doesn’t remember his father ever having anything bad to say about her, but that didn’t change the fact the other Kingdoms hated her. Marcus not only met the Ice Queen, but she also saved his life with daggers she was an expert at throwing, bandaged his wounds and made broths with her medicinal knowledge of herbs, and she was kind. She was kind, but when it came down to it, she wasn’t modest. He seen her anger began to build when she ripped her dress sleeve down revealing her own wound and pulling her dress up to reveal her thighs. She was unlike any woman, let alone Queen, he had ever met. Not only was Marcus certain there wasn’t any other woman like her in the world, but she was also the type of woman he had been wanting. He didn’t want a dainty woman who sat quietly and bowed her head. He wanted a woman with strength and courage and who wasn’t afraid to challenge him. He couldn’t stand any of the princesses his father, King Leon, tried to have him marry. They were so, obedient. It was like having a conversation with a servant. Marcus knew the type of woman he wanted; he just didn’t think she existed until now. That is why he decided to get away for a few days. His father was adamant he meet another princess. His father had no idea where he was or if he was alive. He should send word, but he didn’t want Queen Joselynn to know he was royalty yet. He wanted to get to know her instead of the rumors. That is what he would do, get to know the woman he has always wanted.

It was exactly noon when Joselyn came back to Marcus’s chambers. She opened the door to find him sitting up in the bed deep in thought. “What has you thinking so hard?” asked Joselynn. Marcus snapped out of his plans to get to know Queen Joselyn and replied, “Nothing My Queen.” Joselyn gave him a look of unbelief and said, “You can call me Joselyn.” Marcus became more amazed at this woman every time she came to see him. “You don’t know me, but you will let me call you Joselyn instead of Queen?” Marcus asked. With a simple reply Joselyn answered, “Yes.” “I don’t hear your guards refer to you as Joselyn, they always call you My Queen, why do I not have to abide by the same rules?” Joselyn laughed in amusement. Marcus was not like any man she had ever met. He never showed fear, and he constantly questioned her even though he knew she was Queen. “I prefer we are on a first name basis, no titles. My guards and my people refer to me as Queen because I am their Queen, and they say it out of respect.” Joselyn said with a satisfying response. Marcus wasn’t finished. From the time Joselyn boiled the broth, placed it in a bowl, and put it to his lips he still peppered her with questions. Joselyn wasn’t used to interrogations, but she answered his questions. As he sipped the broth, Marcus said “Why do they call you the Ice Queen? You don’t behave as horribly as the rumors I have heard.” Joselyn just smiled and said, “Maybe that is your problem. You believed rumors instead of getting facts.” Marcus was dumbfounded. He knew she was right. He knew nothing about her except for rumors, and he made his decision about her based solely on those. “You didn’t answer my question,” he said. “How do I know I can trust you?” Joselyn asked. Marcus handed her the empty bowl before saying, “You don’t.” Joselyn was happily surprised by Marcus. He did not shy away from asking her questions and responded to hers truthfully. She enjoyed being in his company. He was easy to talk to and somehow made her feel carefree. “Well, Joselyn began, If I don’t know whether or not I can trust you, then I can’t tell you why I was given the nickname Ice Queen.” Marcus just laughed, but then his mood turned more serious. “Joselyn, you said the King of Doran tried to have you killed?” Joselyn took in a deep breath and answered, “Yes, that’s right.” “Well, what will you do about it?” Marcus inquired further. “Well Marcus, the King of Doran wants my Kingdom and that’s it. So much so he sent men to kill me. I don’t wish to go to war, but that is the only way now. The King of Doran is already in the process of gathering his allies, and I have done the same. When my allies arrive for a ball, I will explain to the Kings what needs to be done. They can choose among themselves who gets his land, I don’t want it.” Joselyn stated. She wasn’t sure why she confided all of this to Marcus. It was a mistake to reveal her strategy, however she didn’t feel uneasy about it. “So, you don’t want his Kingdom?” Marcus asked. “No, I don’t. I don’t want to go to war. However, the safety of my people comes first, and he has already proven he is not going to stop. My goal is to kill the King of Doran, and that’s it.” Joselyn said. This was a first for Marcus. When Kings go to war it is to conquer a Kingdom and gain its lands. Joselyn however couldn’t care less about more land. All she wanted was the safety of her people. Marcus didn’t want to show his understandings of why Royalty goes to war, but he did want to know her opinion of his father. “I have never known of Royalty caring so much for their people, except King Leon.” Joselyn studied Marcus’s face as much as he studied hers. Joselyn then said, “King Leon cares greatly for his people. I have known him all my life. He is a great King and I hope to be more like him someday.” Marcus couldn’t believe his ears. She looked up to his father. Not only did she not have a bad word to say about him, but he never had a bad word to say about her. Marcus was considered King Leon’s rebel child because he wouldn’t marry just any princess so he could take over a kingdom. Joselyn was like him in many ways. She wouldn’t marry just any King to rule her kingdom. “Why is it you haven’t married?” Marcus asked. Joselyn smiled and said, “I will not marry just anybody, especially a stuffy king who wants my Kingdom. When I marry, I want it to be for love. I know it sounds like a silly notion, but that is what I want.” Marcus wanted to delve a little deeper so he baited her with, “When you think about it, love is a silly notion. All Kings end up having several mistresses anyway, that is common knowledge.” Joselyn looked at him and responded, “That is why I want love. I want to give all my heart and soul to one man, and in return I want that man to give all his heart and soul to me. There would be no mistresses because I would be what he wanted and all he would ever want. That is the main reason I am not married.” Marcus was beaming on the inside. His father didn’t have mistresses, he only had an eye for his mother. He was taught to be loyal and faithful to his wife, unlike most Royal men. Marcus didn’t marry because he had the same silly notion as Joselyn, love. Joselyn sat on the side of the bed talking with Marcus for a couple of hours. Joselyn finally noticed the time and said “Oh my goodness Marcus, I have been gone from my duties too long. The time has flown by. I will be back to give your last bowl of broth tonight.” Marcus felt a sadness when she left, but he was ecstatic over getting to know Joselyn. She is everything he wanted, and nothing like what people say. He still couldn’t figure out why she was given the name the Ice Queen, and that was something she was not going to reveal.

Joselyn found Rowan to get an update on the messengers she had dispatched to her ally kingdoms. “Has there been any word from the messengers?” Joselyn asked when she saw Rowan. “They arrived only a few moments ago. Here are the responses.” Rowan stated as he handed Joselyn three letters that were still sealed. Joselyn took the letters as she and Rowan walked to her study. She recognized the first seal immediately. It was green and gold with the impression of a lion for the seal. It belonged to King Leon. She and Rowan sat down as she broke the seal on each letter and read them. “King Leon, King Aaron, and King Henry have all accepted their invitations to the ball and will arrive the day before as I requested.” Joselyn told Rowan as she looked at him with happiness and sorrow in her face. “I know you do not want war, but the King of Doran has made an attempt on your life. He wants to overthrow you and is in the process of trying. There isn’t another way.” Rowan told Joselyn. “I know. I have thought the same exact thing myself. Joselyn said. “Now that I know for sure they are coming, she continued, invitations need to be sent out to aristocracy.” “You’re not going to invite the towns people to the ball like always?” Rowan asked. Joselyn held her head in her hands and sighed, “I hate not inviting the towns people, but King Henry and King Aaron hold on to the idea of class in their Kingdoms. They would not be seen talking to their towns people because they are of a lower station. I need both on my side for this war if I want to win it. I am not inviting the towns people, but it is for their own good as well as this Kingdoms.” “I understand.” Rowan stated. “Do you want me to have the messengers send out invitations to all aristocracy within the Kingdom?” he asked. Joselyn replied, “Yes, I do. Try and get all the invitations out within the next two days and let them know we are having Kings visiting from other kingdoms.” “I will start on it right now my Queen.” Rowan said. “Rowan,” he stopped to look at Joselyn. “Before you go is there any other business that needs my attention?” Joselyn asked. Rowan was taken back by her question. Queen Joselyn always knew what was going on within her Kingdom at all times. “Not at this time My Queen. Court isn’t until tomorrow.” He said. At that statement, Joselyn let her head fall on her arms that were crossed on her desk. Rowan grew concerned. His Queen wasn’t normally like this. “Perhaps later we can work out your arm. I know it is still tender, but it will get you outside of the castle for a while.” Rowan said with a questioning voice. “No, my arm is still too tender to work it out. I want to make a new sword today.” Joselyn said. “I thought your arm was too sore to use.” Rowan stated. “It is too sore to continually throw daggers. I can manage making a sword.” Joselyn stated. “If there is anything that requires my attention,” Joselyn continued, “you know where I will be.” “Yes, my Queen,” Rowan said bowing as she rose from her desk and walked out of the door.

Joselyn had a room in the castle where she made her daggers and swords. She had only the one sword that she carried, and it was fashioned in the same manner as her daggers, except for the handle. All her ally Kings wanted to know her secret, but she wouldn’t let them know how she was able to make her daggers and sword look so bright, not just a regular dull silver. Joselyn came across the idea to mix gold with silver. The mixture came out beautifully. Joselyn retrieved some gold and silver from a cabinet in her work room. She decided she was going to fashion two swords. Another one for her, and one to give to Marcus. She wanted him to have something no one else had, and that would be an envied sword of every King. It would be a gift to him for saving her life. The process of making a sword or dagger like Joselyn’s took time. She wanted to make sure she had it before the ball to present it to him. He should be completely healed within that amount of time. She would have to work several hours every day, but she had made up her mind this was the perfect gift to give Marcus.

Later that evening, Joselyn returned to Marcus’s chambers to give him his dinner broth. She was tired from working on the swords all day, but she tried not to show it. When she entered the room Marcus was already waiting for her to arrive. He had been looking forward to her getting back just so he could look at her and talk to her. When she walked in, he immediately noticed she was exhausted. “You look tired.” Marcus said to Joselyn with a worried tone. “I had some things to take care of today.” She replied. “They must have been mentally draining for you to look this tired within these few short hours.” Marcus said. Joselyn only smiled. She didn’t want to give away the fact she made her own swords to him. Marcus noticed she continued to rub her healing arm. Joselyn brought the broth to him that she had boiled. He took the bowl and laid it on the table next to his bed and reached for her arm. Joselyn immediately pulled back. “I can see that it’s bothering you, please let me try to help.” Marcus almost pleaded. Joselyn looked at him for a moment then moved her body closer to Marcus. He gently put his hand over her dress sleeve then slowly and gently began to rub. As he massaged her sore arm, Marcus’s eyes locked with Joselyn’s. For the first time since Joselyn could remember she felt nervous. She pulled her gaze to the broth on the table. “Is this making your arm feel any better?” Marcus asked as he continued to rub her arm. “Yes, it is actually helping the soreness very well.” Joselyn replied quietly. Joselyn could feel her face getting flushed and she pulled away from Marcus’s touch. “You should drink your broth now before it gets cold.” She told Marcus. Marcus could tell his touch had an effect on her and it made him grin widely. He must have not realized it because Joselyn said, “What are you smiling about?” Marcus couldn’t stop smiling at her as he said, “I’m just looking forward to this broth.” As he placed the bowl to his lips and took a sip. Joselyn found herself smiling back at Marcus. He knew the effect he was having on her, and he was enjoying it. For some reason she didn’t understand, she was enjoying it too. While Marcus was drinking his broth, Rowan knocked on the door. “Enter” Joselyn yelled. Rowan walked in with a paper in his hand. He noticed Joselyn sitting on the edge of the bed Marcus lay in but ignored her misconduct. He knew she always did as she pleased. “What is it Rowan?” Joselyn asked as she stood from the bed and reached for the papers he was holding. “The King of Arcadia will be traveling this way and has requested to dine with you tomorrow evening.” Rowan said before Joselyn could read the papers. “Oh, well I would be pleased to have dinner with him. Please get the message to him for me.” Joselyn told Rowan. “Yes My…” before Rowan could finish Marcus interjected. “You are seriously going to dine with the King of Arcadia.” Rowan looked at Marcus and placed a hand on his sword. People do not speak to the Joselyn in such a manor without her giving a command for punishment. Rowan was surprised when he heard Joselyn say, “Why wouldn’t I dine with him?” “Well,” Marcus started, “I just didn’t think you enjoyed dining with King’s who only want your Kingdom.” “Do you know the King of Arcadia?” Joselyn asked. “Well, no,” Marcus lied. “But you have court tomorrow so you will be tired.” He continued with excuses. “I am more than capable of eating food after court Marcus.” Joselyn said. She turned to a stunned Rowan and said, “Please send the message for me.” “Yes, my Queen” Rowan stated and then turned to leave. After Rowan left, Joselyn looked at Marcus and in a serious tone asked, “How did you know I had court tomorrow?” Marcus realized he had slipped up. Court was always held on the last day of the month. “I just assumed. If I needed to go to court, it was always held on the last day of the month.” Marcus nervously said. Joselyn took his excuse and said, “You’re right. I do have court tomorrow and it is usually very tiring. However, I still must eat which is why I accepted the King of Arcadia’s request.” Marcus wanted to protest more, but he didn’t want to push his luck. “I hope you have a good time at dinner tomorrow.” Marcus said sarcastically. “I’m sure I will. I won’t be able to bring your broth tomorrow because I have court and then a guest. I will make sure a maid boils it fresh and gives it to you.” “You’re not coming tomorrow night?” Marcus asked. “I’m not sure if I will have the strength, but I will ensure you receive your broth. I need to go to my chambers and get some rest now. As you know, tomorrow is a big day.” Joselyn said as walked out the door. Marcus was mad with jealousy, and he knew there was nothing he could do about it. At this point she doesn’t know he is royalty and would think he was trying to get her Kingdom deceitfully. She did not belong to him, and he couldn’t tell her he didn’t want her dining with other men. Marcus’s plan to get to know Joselyn was starting to backfire.