Planet Mail by Kate Pearce

They insist you must see them at once.”
    “ Hammersford ? What in Thor’s name do they want?” Marcus thrust a hand through his disordered hair and stared at Douglass. His slow smile left her staring at his mouth. “Perhaps they have some news about your ship, consort. We still haven’t located the ‘black box’ you spoke of yet.”
    Douglass eased her aching body out of bed. Sven had already laid out her clothes besides Marcus’. She slipped on the silk tunic, wondering why she needed to be covered up and combed her hair while Sven helped Marcus dress more formally.
    The great hall seemed strangely deserted when Marcus and Douglass reached it. Sunlight threaded down through the stained glass panels on the ceiling staining the stone floor in myriad overlapping colors. The small party from Hammersford was dwarfed by the magnificence of the cavernous space. Douglass took the seat Sven showed her to the right of Marcus’ throne.
    An elderly man took a hesitant step forward and bowed. “Sire? We bring you great news from our village.”
    Marcus inclined his head. “Welcome, Elder of Hammersford . We await your news with great interest.”
    Douglass stiffened as two women came to stand beside the elder. They were the first women she’d seen on the planet since her arrival. Both wore cloaks that concealed everything but their eyes. Marcus got slowly to his feet as one of the women fell to her knees.
    “My King, I am Mistress Freya . I bring you a great gift.” She gestured at the other woman. “Do you remember my daughter, Lillian? She was sent to your tent as tribute when you visited our village.”
    Marcus fisted his hands. “Uncover your face, Lillian. Let me see you.”
    Lillian removed her veil. Douglass thought she could barely be considered a woman. Her expression was a curious mixture of triumph and fear.
    “Greeting, Sire. I bring you joyful news.” She pulled her cloak away from her body and rested her hand on her stomach. “I carry your child. You will have an heir.”
    A roaring sound broke over the hall as Marcus’ men responded to the announcement. Douglass felt the echo of it inside her head as well. Only one man stood as if unimpressed amidst the rejoicing.
    Marcus held up his hand. “Perhaps we should discuss this matter in private.” He gestured at his closest companions. “Accompany me to my chamber and summon my personal physicians.”
    Douglass allowed Sven to guide her from the hall. She knew she should feel happy for Marcus but somehow she couldn’t. Something seemed off about the girl’s announcement and Marcus’ reaction to it. Would they allow her to sit in on the private meeting? Ignoring the stares of the people from Hammersford , she entered Marcus’ private chamber as if she owned it.
    The older woman who accompanied the girl tried to block her way. “Who is this woman, Sire? By what right does she enter your chamber?”
    Marcus glanced at Douglass as she tried to outstare the other woman.
    “Mistress Freya , Douglass is my acknowledged consort. She has a perfect right to be here.”
    “We’ll see about that,” Mistress Freya hissed as Douglass winked at her and sashayed past.
     
    Marcus sat down and studied Lillian. “Are you sure the child is mine?”
    Lillian didn’t bother to hide the gleam of victory in her upturned gaze. “Of course, my King, I was a virgin when you bedded me. Who else could be the father but you?”
    He stared into her eyes until she looked away. Beneath her delight all he could sense was the slick stink of terror. Had her family forced her into this position? He tried to remember the details of the night they had met. She’d drugged the wine she gave him and forced herself on him. He glanced around the small room at his attentive audience. If she truly carried his child, did he want to reveal such shameful details of their coupling? He wasn’t worried about how he would be perceived; he was more concerned about the effect on his future