Free Shadows of the Realm (The Circle of Talia) by Dionne Lister Page A

selling cheap baubles to vain women, although it was also said his selection of fabrics were some of the finest.
    There was a quiet tap, tap, tap, and Gabrielle jumped. Sarah approached the locked door. "Who's there?"
    "Hermas, my lady." Sarah unlocked the door, allowing the old man to enter. Ever since the night, seventeen years ago, when Leon had attacked Gabrielle, she had always made sure her door was locked from the inside.
    Hermas had been chief advisor to the king's father and then the king. Gabrielle remembered a time when he cut a noble figure: much taller than her, with thick, black hair. As far as most knew, he was now retired. He stooped to stand at an equal height as the queen, thinning, white hair gently touching his shoulders. He had served the family for most of his life, and had been given quarters in the castle after his ‘retirement’. Hermas was considered part of the family and was like a grandfather to Verity. The queen loved the gentle, intelligent man and was one of the only people who knew his senility to be a well-contrived act.
    The queen stood and offered him her hands. "How have you been, crazy old man?" Gabrielle was smiling.
    "Have you seen my cat?"
    "You don't have a cat."
    "Yes I do. She can talk you know. Maybe I'll find her in the garden at sunset chasing the mice. Sorry to bother you." He bowed as he walked backward to the door. The cryptic conversation was a way of life, because anyone, including Leon, could be listening. The truth was, Hermas was not retired; he secretly worked for the queen, collecting information and keeping an eye on people she didn't trust. The ambiguous conversation told Gabrielle to be in the garden at sunset.
    "What a funny old man. You really are nice to him."
    "He's like a father to me. From the day I came here as a nobleman’s daughter he treated me like a queen. Just because he's a little crazy, doesn't mean he doesn't deserve our respect. He achieved a lot of good in his lifetime." 
    "I hope you treat me that well when I've turned into a weird old spinster and can no longer serve you, My Lady."
    "What are you worried about? I'm older than you. With a bit of luck you'll be the one who has to mop up my dribble." Sarah screwed up her face.
    There was a loud knock at the door. Sarah rose again, "Who's there?"
    "The King. I've come to see my lovely wife." Sarah opened the door and curtsied as the king entered.
    "Please leave us , Sarah. I won't be needing you until mid afternoon."
    "Yes , My Lady." She curtsied again, shutting the door behind her.
    Gabrielle stood and met her husband ’s embrace. "Why must you always lock that door, my love? It offends me that you don't feel safe in our home." Gabrielle shrugged but offered no answer. She had never told her husband what his brother had done, because other than Leon's threat to kill her, which she never doubted, she knew the trust and love Edmund felt for his brother. Whilst she knew the king loved her, she wasn't willing to test his loyalties without any proof of what had happened. When she had given birth to Verity, everyone naturally thought the child was the king's, and only two people in the castle knew it might not be. She had lived with that truth day after day. Despite the possibility of who her father may be, she could not help but love her daughter, a fact which made her feel immense guilt.
    The king looked at his wife, waiting for an answer to his oft-asked question. Gabrielle hoped her reply would satisfy him. "You are so trusting, my love. Not everyone loves the king and his family you know. There are always those who’ll try to harm us. I wouldn’t be the first queen to be targeted. It was you who told me about the kidnapping of your great grandmother, Queen Lurline."
    The king acknowledged her reasons with a small nod. "Yes, well you are ever the cautious one, and I would rather see you safe and happy. If that locked door saves your life even once, it’s worth my slight offence." He kissed her