Free Beyond the Boundary Stones (The Chronicles of Tevenar Book 3) by Angela Holder Page B

head to the Matriarch. “Around the time your monthly bleeding is due we’ll be able to tell if you’ve conceived. There should be no need for us to attend you further until then.”
    “Excellent.” The Matriarch rose, pointedly not looking at her husband. “I will summon you again at that time. Until then, you may enjoy the hospitality of my palace and devote your days to whatever pursuits you choose.”
    “Thank you, your majesty.” Elkan inclined his head to her and rose.
    “Come,” she said, in a tone that was more an order than an invitation. “The feast is waiting.”
    She swept from the room. Elkan waited for Renarre and Yerenna to follow her, then fell in behind them. Tobi padded at his side.
    Josiah eagerly joined him. Sar had to break into a trot for a few steps to keep up. “It’s about time she fed us. I’m so drained I couldn’t heal a stubbed toe.”
    Elkan grinned at him, his eyes tired. “I must admit, food and bed will be welcome. Hopefully by next Restday we’ll have things under control well enough to be able to observe it.”
    That’s right, it was still Restday. It felt like at least a week had passed since they’d sailed into the harbor. He suspected the rest of the coming week would be just as full. A whole city starving for the Mother’s power was going to be quite a challenge.
    Elkan put a hand on his shoulder. “You did well in there. I never imagined she’d threaten you. I’m sorry I brought you into such danger.”
    “No, it’s fine. I mean, I wouldn’t have missed any of this.” Josiah suppressed a shiver. “Lord Renarre was right. She wasn’t really going to hurt us. I’m glad he backed down, though.”
    “Thank the Mother for that.” Elkan cast a calculating glance to where Renarre had quickened his steps to catch up to the Matriarch. Renarre offered his arm, and she took it without looking at him.
    Josiah followed his gaze. “So what do you think? Will they—you know?”
    Elkan shook his head with a rueful laugh. “I have no idea. What a strange relationship that is.” He gave Josiah a mock-severe glare. “And none of our business. Unless and until the Matriarch needs our help with a pregnancy we’re going to be much too busy to worry about their private affairs.”
    Josiah groaned, but he didn’t really mind. He enjoyed days when they saw lots of patients with a variety of interesting problems. There was certainly plenty of that to look forward to.

Five
    K evessa stayed a few steps behind her father as he hurried from the throne room. As she’d hoped, Gevan was so intent on his business he didn’t notice her following him. She kept carefully back while he asked a guard the way to the office of the Matriarch’s steward and continued to follow as he set off in the indicated direction. He stared into the distance as he strode along, his mind as usual lost in brilliant, esoteric wanderings.
    As soon as they entered a deserted corridor, she quickened her pace and came to his side. “Father,” she said.
    He jerked to face her, eyes coming into focus. “Kevessa! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to stay for the Matriarch’s feast.” With visible effort he softened his expression. “I expect you need to eat after how hard you worked this afternoon.”
    Kevessa stroked Nina’s head. The squirrel pressed into her touch. It was true they were both tired and hungry, but they weren’t so badly drained they couldn’t attend to one more urgent task. “We can get something to eat later. You’ll be going down to the dock, yes? I thought this would be a good opportunity to see if we can discover who sent Tharan.”
    Gevan grabbed Kevessa’s shoulders. “That’s far too dangerous for you to attempt. Let Master Elkan handle it.”
    Kevessa worked hard to keep her voice calm and reasonable. That was the only way to deal with Gevan. She knew her father’s protectiveness sprang from his love for her, but it often went to unwelcome extremes.