Her face softened and Calia watched with wonder. "But many good things have happened since. That is why you struggle? You can't balance your old, hard life with this new, good one?"
That wasn't it at all but Calia couldn't find the words to explain her distress.
Abelina reached out for her hand. "Don't hate the king. Under the mask, he is a good man. I might have been made to stay in the village, a forsaken maiden. No one would have married me." Abelina gave a forced laugh. "The king didn't ruin my life, he saved me. He saved me from shame, from a lonely existence."
Calia examined her face. "But … "
Abelina looked up wistfully. "I would have liked to have had children," she admitted. "It's my only regret. But I still don't blame the king. I found a truer love in his home, a calling, a place in life. I can't imagine my existence without the king. Can you?"
Chapter Twelve
When Calia brought the king his lunch tray he seemed to be his usual self. He had replaced his sodden mask with a fresh silk one and she was grateful he hadn't returned to the hateful diamond one, or even worse, the diamond and ruby one. He murmured his thanks when she set the tray down and did not ask her to leave when she took her chair to work on his shirts.
They passed the afternoon in quiet peacefulness, each lost in thoughts of their loved ones. It wasn't until after dinner that the king spoke again. "Calia?"
"Yes, my king?"
His lips twitched at her name for him. "You are a better servant than I had hoped for. I would like to reward you but I only know what you do not want. Tell me, what can I give you?"
She shook her head. "Nothing, you have already given me too much."
"I insist," he said.
"Really," she protested and he held a hand up to silence her.
"Surely there must be something you would enjoy." She shook her head again but her teeth were on her bottom lip and he knew there was something she had in mind.
"Tell me."
She looked up shyly. "Well, my mother never taught me to do any embroidery or anything with string. I saw a book in your library about crocheting. I can read now, so maybe if I had a hook and some yarn I could learn?"
His heart melted at her meager request. "Wait here," he commanded.
She sat alone in his rooms, anxious for him to return.
Abelina looked up at the knock on her door and pulled her dressing gown closed as she went to answer it. Her heart leapt in her chest when she saw the Cold King on the other side. "Your Majesty, what can I do for you at this hour? Is Calia all right?"
He smiled, something she had never seen him do, and replied, "I need a crocheting hook and yarn. Do you have any to spare? I will reimburse you."
Abelina frowned. "Everything I have is from you. I shall get it for you straight away." She piled a basket full of colorful yarn and hooks of various sizes and handed it to him.
"Thank you, Abelina," he said and she stared after him in amazement as he took off for the library.
He returned to his rooms and to Calia with the basket and book. Her face lit up as she accepted them. "Thank you!"
He smiled. "No, this is my thanks to you."
The clock chimed the late hour and the king looked up. "You may work here or in your room. I will be back in an hour."
Calia cocked her head. "Where are you going?"
A little of the hardness he had lost crept back into his face. "It's not your concern. Your only concern is to never tread out by the gardens after dark."
His harsh tone stung fiercely after their day together but she nodded her agreement. She waited for a moment after he left to retire to her own rooms.
She lay in bed a long time, mulling over her hurt feelings and new questions. Why would he want to spend time in the garden at night? Even with a full moon it was pitch dark out there. He wouldn't be able to see to work on his roses, so what was he doing? Finally she pushed the thoughts away. She refused to let her curiosity about what he was doing overcome her, she wouldn't risk his anger just to have a question answered.
Crocheting was harder than the book made it seem but she worked on it every night in her arm chair by the king's fire. Each night he left at the same time without a word and she always left soon after him.
She was near to completing her first ugly lap blanket when a knock at the door came one night, startling them both.
Calia rushed to open it and was surprised to find a grim looking Marchello.
"King Valanka," he said formally.
"What is it?" the king asked.
"You have a … guest. She wishes to see you immediately."
Calia frowned but quickly smoothed her face out.
The Cold King stood for a moment. "I will see her in my throne room."
"Do you wish me to attend you?" Calia asked, praying that he did.
He nodded. "Freshen up. I'll meet you in the hall."
Curiosity, with a streak of jealousy, consumed her as she fixed her hair and straightened her gown. She told herself she was being ridiculous but something about a mysterious woman wishing to see her king so late had her hackles up. Hurrying and distracted, she crashed right into the king on her way out of her room. He slipped an arm around her waist before she could fall and held her tight while she found her feet. Flushed with embarrassment, she raised her face to thank him but pulled away with a small cry when she took in his face. The silk mask had been replaced with the diamond and ruby monstrosity. If her reaction hurt him, she couldn't tell.
Calia realized that in the last few weeks she had begun to forget her king was a cold beast, not a warm friend.
"I apologize," she said under breath.
He nodded and led the way to the throne room.
He had barely sat with Calia placed behind him when there was a sharp rap at the door and Marchello admitted their guest.
Calia tried to keep the surprise off her face as King Williams eldest daughter entered. Sola's face was pale and pinched and her gown pulled tightly around her waist. Calia guessed her to be a few months pregnant.
The woman wasted no time. She bowed her head quickly then spoke. "King Valanka, I have come to inform you my father wishes to bring war against you."
The king gave a low chuckle. "Your father is a dog. He could not bring war to me. With what army?"
She gave no consideration to the insult. "He is pulling together the neighboring kingdoms; they seek to strike you here."
The king leaned back in his chair. "And for what reason?"
"Your diamonds."
Calia started a little at that. The diamonds were worthless. Quite a lot of the town's men worked in the mines but it was common knowledge the king had set them to the task so that there was work enough for every man in town. She personally thought the king indulged in the practice because the stones were so like him-cold, flawless and hard. Why else would he cover his masks in them?
"Ah. I see," the king was saying. "They do not like the prices I've set?"
"It's more than that. They have discovered a way to reinforce weapons with them. If they have unlimited access to the diamonds, then they can make unbreakable weapons."
Calia frowned. The diamonds were only baubles but the king seemed to believe Sola. "And why would you offer up such valuable information?"
The woman took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "I want your protection, for myself and my child."
The king leaned forward. "And who would endanger you and your child that your father could not protect you from?"
A muscle in her jaw twitched before she answered. "My husband. My father could protect us but he won't."
Calia's heart tightened at that.
"Explain," the king demanded.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself as if chilled. "My father's line has always produced at least one male child before any girls. My husband bought me for a very high price because of this. He has been through three wives and countless daughters with no heir. I was to produce his long desired son."
The king gestured to her belly. "And you carry a girl? You are sure of it?"
She nodded sadly. "I knew what my fate would be if the child I carried were not a son. I have sought help from several healers and midwives. I carry a daughter. When I deliver her, she will be killed and I most likely as well." Her face grew hard. "I am not going to die at that man's hands and I am not going to sacrifice my precious baby."
"I see." The Cold King rubbed a hand along his chin. "So in exchange for your information you wish me to provide you shelter?"