Of course, she was Deryni. He had no idea what that might mean in practical terms, but he knew that it put her all but outside the pale where the Church was concerned. Being who she was, she had the protection of the Crown for so long as she walked a narrow path of propriety and care, keeping her powers securely leashed and curbed — she could not help what she was. But were she to stray from what the Church regarded as acceptable for those of her race, even the king's favor might not be enough to save her. Oddly, he had never felt threatened by close proximity to her — or if he had, it was because she was so beautiful, and so beyond his reach.

Further time spent in her company during the weeks of his convalescence only underlined both his longing and the uselessness of it — but still, he continued to catch her image invading his thoughts in many an unguarded moment, and gradually his dreams as well. Once he was back on his feet, walking with a stick at first, he would find himself gazing after her as he took a turn in the royal gardens of a sunny morning, while she and his daughter and the other ladies played with the younger royal children.

He threw himself into his work with a vengeance, spending many a gray morning or afternoon in the king's chancery, reviewing diplomatic correspondence, and attending meetings of the royal council when called by the king. Often he and the king worked long into the night on drafts of documents that needed to be prepared, taking a private supper in the king's apartments while they worked.

It was on one such stormy evening early in December that the queen intruded to inquire about certain arrangements for Christmas court, now in its serious planning stages. Attending her that evening was Alyce de Corwyn.

«My lord, you simply must do something about your sons», the queen announced, before she and Alyce were even properly through the door. «Brion and Blaine are pestering me to distraction about those ponies».

«I told you that I was considering the matter», the king began.

«Well, it simply won't do to keep putting it off», the queen replied. «You aren't the one who has to listen to them, day in and day out…»

«Perhaps we should continue this discussion in private», he said under his breath, as he set a hand firmly under the queen's elbow and escorted her into the next room, closing the door behind them.

After a few seconds, Kenneth exchanged bemused glances with Alyce and he remembered his manners enough to gesture toward the chair at the other end of the table where he and Donal had been working. As had begun to happen increasingly of late, he found himself reacting to her presence like some green adolescent. Each time he saw her, he found her more intriguing, and was struck by her beauty of soul as well as form.

«I do beg your pardon», he said. «Please, sit down. The king is in one of his stubborn moods this evening, so their meeting may take some time. May I offer you some refreshment?»

He nodded toward the flask of wine toward the center of the table, but she shook her head as she sat.

«I thank you, no», she said. «Zoë and I supped with the queen and the royal children earlier. It was hardly fancy fare, but her tastes are simple when she is not required to preside at the king's table».

He nodded agreement and took his seat, several places down from her.

«They are all well, then?» he asked, after a slightly awkward pause, suddenly at a loss for words.

«Aye, they are», she replied. «Except that Prince Brion does long for a R'Kassan barb at year-end. It is all he talks about lately. That was the source of the queen's comments, when we entered».

Kenneth gave a snort, unbending a little. «He is not yet nine. The king will never allow it».

«I have tried to prepare him for disappointment in that regard», she replied, smiling. «He rides well, but I fear that a R'Kassan would be quite unsuitable. On the other hand», she added, «I believe that the queen has been making inquiries about Llanneddi mountain ponies for both the older princes».

«Ah, I know them well», Kenneth agreed, warming to the subject of horses, which were one of his own passions. «I rode many a Llanner when I was a boy. Most of them stand only about twelve hands at the withers, but they look a lot like miniature R'Kassans — though with a mountain pony's more sensible temperament. They'd be perfect for the princes, at this point in their training».

«Aye, that's what the queen thought», Alyce replied. «She told me she'd grown up riding them — and her brother still maintains quite a fine herd…

They continued to discuss horses — a safe topic, Kenneth felt — for most of an hour, until finally the king and queen emerged from their meeting, both of them smiling. The queen, in fact, looked slightly flushed, her hair somewhat less tidy than when she and the king had withdrawn. Both Kenneth and Alyce rose as the royal pair entered.

«That's settled, then», the queen was saying, as she clung to her husband's arm. «You won't forget, now?»

«Of course I won't forget», the king replied. «Now, off with you — both of you», he added, with a nod toward Alyce. «Sir Kenneth and I must finish this document».

The queen arched an eyebrow at him and kissed the air in his direction, smiling, then headed for the door, Alyce hurrying to keep up. When they had gone, Donal sat back down at his place, grinning as he topped up his cup of wine.

«I do love being married, and to that woman», he confided, lifting his cup to Kenneth and then taking a sip. «Kenneth, have you never thought to remarry? You're still a young man».

Kenneth reached for his own cup to cover his discomfiture, wondering whether his interest in Alyce was that obvious.

«Hardly young, Sire. I am three-and-forty, and I have two daughters to support besides Zoë — and I assure you that I am exceedingly grateful of her place here at court. My sisters are raising the younger ones, so I need not worry for their daily care, but they all must be dowered. Hardly room there, I think, for a new wife and children».

«Humph. Then it seems I must find you a rich heiress», Donal said lightly. «You've certainly earned some more tangible mark of my favor than a mere thank-you. How many times is it, now, that you have saved me or one of my family?

«I was only doing my duty, Sire, as your liegeman», Kenneth protested.

Donal gave a snort. «More than that, I think». He cocked his head at the younger man, considering. «I don't suppose you might fancy that lovely filly who was just here with the queen? We heard you talking about horses».

Kenneth felt himself flushing, momentarily at a loss for words. Did the king think he had been campaigning for this all along?

«I would — never aspire that high, Sire. The gift of Lady Alyce's marriage is a powerful bargaining tool. You must use it to bind some great lord's loyalty. You already have my loyalty — and my life, if needs be».

«Yes, I'm aware of that», the king replied, his gaze going distant as he mulled the possibility. «That's why the notion suddenly makes a great deal of sense. For such a marriage would also bind the loyalty of your sons — one of whom would be the next Duke of Corwyn».

Kenneth could feel his pulse pounding in his temples, hardly able to comprehend what he was hearing — and tried not to let himself even begin to hope that it might come to pass.

«Allow me to consider this further», the king said then, standing in his place as Kenneth also got hastily to his feet. «We'll finish this tomorrow. Meanwhile, think on the possibility — that is, if the idea appeals to you».

«It does, Sire — how could I not be honored that you would even think it? But I–I am old enough to be the lady's father. She may not wish…»

«Nonsense. She shall marry where I say she shall. She knows her duty». The king picked up his wine cup and took a deep quaff. «Go now. I must give this further thought. We shall speak again on the matter».