Free The Golden Cage by J.D. Oswald Page A

news throughout the Twin Kingdoms. Although I would have preferred a little more time to make all the necessary preparations.’
    ‘More time?’ Melyn asked. ‘How soon are you planning on having the ceremony.’
    ‘Next
Saddith, by the Shepherd!’ Padraig settled himself down at a small desk placed close to the throne and shuffled through a pile of scrolls. Melyn looked back at the queen, trying to work out what it was that was different about her. She was wearing a long dress of gold silk rather than her usual boyish suede trousers, for one thing. Was her hair a little longer than he remembered? It was difficult to tell. Her face looked thinner, as if she’d not been eating properly, but she looked healthy, almost glowing with the power of the throne. Then the penny dropped.
    ‘Your Majesty, would you like to take a walk around the courtyard? It’s a beautiful morning.’
    ‘Why, yes, Inquisitor. I think I should.’ Beulah held out her hand and Melyn took it, helping her down from the throne. Beside them Padraig scowled but continued with his paperwork.
    At the great oak doors to the Neuadd two guards tried to follow as Melyn escorted the queen outside. She dismissed them with a casual wave.
    ‘Do you think any harm can come to me when the Inquisitor of the Order of the High Ffrydd is my personal escort?’
    They walked across the grass, keeping away from the cloister that surrounded the great hall. Only when Melyn was sure they were beyond eavesdropping range did he speak.
    ‘How long have you known?’
    ‘Known what?’ Beulah feigned innocence, but he had known her too long for that to work.
    ‘That you were carrying Clun’s child.’
    ‘Cassters
came up with the diagnosis. I’d been sick as a dog for a fortnight before that.’
    ‘You had the archimandrite examine you himself?’
    ‘It wasn’t my idea, actually, I just wanted a Ram rather than one of those useless Candle physicians Padraig’s filled the palace with. They tried to treat me with leeches.’
    ‘So Padraig doesn’t know.’
    ‘No one knows but Cassters, Clun and myself. And you, I suppose. Cassters has even found a pregnant maidservant in the castle to treat for morning sickness. Some of her medication comes my way.’
    ‘And you think no one will suspect there’s a reason behind your sudden rush to get married?’
    ‘There are ways of lengthening my term, by a few weeks if necessary. My child will be conceived on my wedding night. It won’t be delivered until nine months have passed. No one will be able to cast doubts on the legitimacy of my heir.’
    ‘That’s dangerous magic, Beulah.’ Melyn dropped all pretence of royal protocol. ‘You could damage the child, or yourself for that matter.’
    ‘It’s necessary. You know how little the noble houses respect me. I need them for their armies and their taxes, and they know it. Angor wasn’t the only one with sympathies towards the Llanwennogs; there are others with no stomach for war. I don’t want to give them any reason to think my dear sister Iolwen might have a greater claim on the throne than my heir.’
    ‘Have you any news from Tynhelyg?’
    ‘She and Dafydd were married months ago. They went east towards Fo Afron for their honeymoon and nobody’s
seen them since. Our spies are concentrating more on tracking Ballah’s army; they’re not too concerned with his grandson.’
    Melyn was about to ask about the plans for the wedding, but they were interrupted by a guard running across the grass. He stopped several paces away as the inquisitor and queen both produced blades of light. Dropping to one knee, he bowed his head low.
    ‘Please forgive this intrusion, Your Majesty. But there’s been an attack. In the citadel. An assassin.’
    ‘Who?’ Melyn asked as Beulah mouthed the same words. ‘Who’s been attacked?’
    ‘Your Majesty, it’s the Duke of Abervenn.’

5
    There is nothing so good as time when it comes to the healing of bones. Yet time alone cannot