Free Wild Is My Love by Janelle Taylor Page A

throat,” he ordered.
    Alysa obeyed, then placed the container on his bed stand once more. “Our kingdom needs you, Father; I need you. Please let me help you.” Realizing the need to break through his dazed state, Alysa spoke sternly. “Has no one told you of the fierce brigands who raid your villages? Who terrify and slay your people? Your lords grow impatient and angry at your continued absences. There are troubles and perils all across our land. You are our ruler; you must get well and solve them.”
    Alric sighed wearily as his stomach began to cramp anew. In his distress, he spoke sharply. “Why does my child tell me such foolish tales and speak so harshly? You are mistaken. My wife and loyal retainers give me reports each week. Not three weeks past, we met with the lords and they greeted me with open hearts and arms. They spoke of no troubles.”
    “But what of the raiders, Father? Why do your knights not stop them?” she demanded, then reminded herself he was ill and her father.
    Beneath the covers Alric’s body seemed to burn and sting. Spasms ripped at his insides and he felt himself becoming nauseous. Beads of sweat began to soak his sleeping gown. His throat was dry and fiery, and he asked for more wine before replying, “My wife sees to royal matters for me. Princess Isobail is alert; she will warn me of problems.”
    “Are you sure you can trust her, Father?” Alysa spoke before she could stop herself. “She is in control of everything, and many do not like her. A woman should not take the place of a great ruler. You must defeat this illness and return to your duties.”
    Alric knew he was going to soil himself and his bed any moment now. He was too weak to get out of bed,and he could not allow his daughter to assist him. He had to get her out of his chambers swiftly. Summoning the strongest voice and angriest expression he could manage, he shrieked, “Do not make me ashamed of my illness! I am not immortal. Leave me in peace to bear it and to conquer it as best I can. Is my child not a woman who will rule this land after me? Speak no more evil of my wife. She does only as I command her. I trust no one more than she. Go to the chapel and pray for forgiveness for your harsh words. Do not return to my chamber unless I summon you.” “But, Father,” she protested frantically. “There is much you—”
    “Go! Or I will be forced to summon the guard to remove you,” he threatened wildly, knowing he could not endure this agony any longer.
    Alysa stared at her father in disbelief. His green eyes were narrowed and chilled; no, they blazed with a fire she did not recognize. She noticed the beads of sweat that glistened on his face, and decided it was sickness causing him to behave this way. But what kind of sickness? It seemed most unnatural… It occurred to her that perhaps someone or something was keeping him so ill and confined to his chamber. Perhaps he was being poisoned? She was shocked at the idea, and spoke urgently. “Please, Father, let me help you, or find someone who can.”
    “The only way you can help me is to depart my chamber and leave me in peace to heal or to suffer as the gods decide. You are like your mother: disobedient and selfish. She wished things her way, and caused me to suffer. Perhaps it is her barbarian blood within you which stains your heart and honor. Cleanse yourself of such wickedness, child.”
    Alric’s face was twisted with agony, which appeared to Alysa as fury and hostility. He did not know how hewas cutting his child’s heart viciously with his wild rantings.
    She turned and raced from her father’s chamber. If the castle gates were not closed and barred for the night, she would go to Giselde’s hut and perhaps never return to Malvern Castle! She had never seen her father in such a state, and never wanted to do so again. She could not imagine why he had been so hateful to her. It had been rash to speak against Isobail without proof, for clearly the woman