“You will stay out of it,” said Ermintrude firmly. “I will deal with Mistress Evelina. And, yes, you will take responsibility. We’ll arrange to care for her and her baby, if she’s truly pregnant, which she could hardly know for certain yet.”

“Mother, I don’t want any child growing up under the shadow of being called a bastard. Not like—”

“Not like you?” His mother, who was really his stepmother, squeezed his hand. “I know how difficult it has been for you, dear heart. I am sorry, so very sorry. We tried to protect you, your father and I. But you are the son of a prince and people will talk. It will be different for this girl. We’ll marry her off to some good man who will care for her and the child. We’ll see to the child’s education. In the meantime, you will meet the Lady Izabelle.”

Marcus shook his head. “The last thing I need is more women in my life, Mother.”

Ermintrude smoothed out her skirts and patted her jewel-encrusted headpiece into place. She adjusted her many rings and her numerous bracelets. Marcus recognized the signs. She was arming for battle, just as any knight, and he knew he’d lost before he’d begun the fight. He was the son of a king, and king’s sons had no say in who they married.

“Your father and I have already agreed to the wedding,” said the Queen. “The young lady is lovely and quite charming. You two played together as children. She still remembers some of the stories you used to tell her. The Lady Izabelle already knows about your magic. You used to conjure up fairies for her as a child. She told me all about it. Do you remember?”

“No.” Marcus tried to think back, but memory of his childhood ended and began in a cave with Draconas. “I don’t think much about that time if I can help it.”

Ermintrude patted his hand. “Go get some sleep. You’re falling over on your feet.”

“I told Evelina she could have new clothes. She really was very courageous, Mother, and she did help me escape from Dragonkeep. She deserves something for that.”

“She’ll have every comfort,” his mother assured him. “She will be well treated. She can live in the castle until we make other arrangements for her, so long as she behaves herself After you’ve had a good rest, you and the Lady Izabelle can take a nice walk along the battlements. She’s interested in the cannons. You can show them to her and explain how they work.”

Marcus did not believe for one minute that the daughter of an earl would be interested in cannons, but he let it pass. He knew what his mother was about. Ermintrude embraced him, hugging him as close as her hooped skirt would permit.