She made herself imitate Lady Eluned, the assurance she had seen so many times, the grace and the power. It was a poor imitation, for never could she have such magnificence – just as she could never swing a sword like Gwenllian, or laugh with carefree ease like Robin. But it was enough to bring her to stand before the king and raise her face to him.

Lord William was there; she had not noticed him until this moment. While the king looked her over and the eyes of all his advisors were fixed on her, it was William who spoke.

“She is no one of importance, my lord,” he said to the king.

She was reminded of his mother, that careful cunning in how he spoke with just enough exasperation, just a little contempt. It was good that she was no one of consequence, and it was important the king knew that. She did not bring wealth or titles or a great alliance. Nothing that would give more power to a Welsh prince.

“I know her well enough,” continued Lord William, “for she has attended both my lady mother and my sister. She has no wealth to speak of, nor family nor name. There is naught but her youth and her beauty to commend her.”

“And those she has in abundance,” said the king. There was appreciation in his eyes, a hint of the wolf behind it, and she prayed God to keep her fingers from the tiny jeweled knife on her belt. But he only turned to her husband and said, “You value your king’s favor so little that you trade it for naught but a fair face?”

“Nay, my lord king. It is not your favor I hold so cheaply, but her honor I hold so dear.” He stood now, and did not flinch when he looked Edward in the eye.

“How dear?” asked one of the advisors from behind her.

It seemed to amuse some of them, but her Welshman took it as a cue. He nodded at one of the servants, who uncovered the cages he had brought. Then there was only gasping to see the white gyrfalcons, so beautiful they made Nan forget to breathe when she looked at them. Now she only looked at the admiration in the king’s face, his deep pleasure at the gift. It tempered the anger to almost nothing.

“Ever have my people given a portion of the falcons we trap and train to our king,” said Prince Gruffydd. “And only months ago did we agree to increase that number, in exchange for restoring me to rule. Yet still we can give more, in thanks to a merciful king.”