The Concubine: Unexpected Circumstances, #5

By Shay Savage

Royalty requires sacrifice.

As King Camden’s health declines, the need for an heir becomes crucial, impossible to ignore.  With no other viable choice, Alexandra must stand stoically by when Hadley comes to the court of Silverhelm as Branford’s concubine.   The queen’s edict of duty echoes through Alexandra’s mind as she accepts the loathsome conditions for the sake of the kingdom.  The only person more devastated by the circumstances is Branford himself.

As Branford spurns Alexandra’s affections and King Edgar continues to press his post-war advantage, all seems lost to the young couple.  Treachery still lies deep within the castle of Silverhelm, and the revelation of the traitor will come from the least likely of sources.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shay Savage
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9780997283457

Shay Savage

Shay Savage is an independent author from Cincinnati, Ohio, where she lives with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. Her hobbies include off-roading in her big, yellow Jeep, science fiction in all forms, and soccer. Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.From the author: “It’s my job to make you FEEL. That doesn’t always mean you’ll feel good, but I want my readers to be connected enough to my characters to care.”Savage’s books many books span a wide variety of topics and sub-genres with deeply flawed characters. From cavemen to addicts to hitmen, you’ll find yourself falling for these seemingly irredeemable characters!

Book preview

BOOK FIVE: The Concubine

Royalty requires sacrifice.

As King Camden’s health declines, the need for an heir becomes crucial, impossible to ignore.  With no other viable choice, Alexandra must stand stoically by when Hadley comes to the court of Silverhelm as Branford’s concubine.  The queen’s edict of duty echoes through Alexandra’s mind as she accepts the loathsome conditions for the sake of the kingdom.  The only person more devastated by the circumstances is Branford himself.

As Branford spurns Alexandra’s affections and King Edgar continues to press his post-war advantage, all seems lost to the young couple.  Treachery still lies deep within the castle of Silverhelm, and the revelation of the traitor will come from the least likely of sources.

Chapter 1—Nearly Destroyed

I felt warmth, then dizziness, and then the floor of the bedroom I shared with my husband seemed to be rapidly approaching my head.  The words he spoke continued to revolve inside of my head, pushing me further down into oblivion. 

She is coming here as my concubine.

As I fell, the dizziness worsened, but before my head hit the floor, I felt Branford’s strong arms encircle me.  Then everything went completely dark.  Though my mind was in turmoil within the blackness, I could still hear his voice.

God...please...no...

I still felt Branford’s arms around me though I could not open my eyes.  I felt myself lifted and held against the hard warmth of his chest.

"Why?  Why are You doing this to her? I understand if I need to be punished, but not her!  Not her!"

I felt motion—my body rocking back and forth—still encased within the security of my husband’s embrace.

I am sorry, my wife...my love...so, so sorry...

I didn’t know how long my mind rejected all that was around me—the room, the words I had just heard—everything.  I had not given him what he must have.  I had not given him an heir.  Somewhere, deep in the back of my mind, I knew there would be consequences.  I knew something like this was possible.

"Do not punish her so...please, God, please!"

When I was finally able to bring air into my lungs, I slowly opened my eyes.  Branford’s arms were wrapped tightly around me as he sat in our chair and held me against his chest.  He rocked slightly, cradling me like, ironically, a child.  The side of my face was pressed between the palm of his hand and the spot above his heart as he held me and rocked us both.

Not her...not her...

Somehow I managed to keep my eyes open, but I was still dizzy, and my vision was blurred.  I looked up at my husband’s face, his eyes cast to the ceiling as he cried out over and over again.  The light from the fire was on his face, and his cheeks glistened.  I reached up and touched his cheekbone, finding it wet.

Never before had I seen my husband’s tears.

His gaze fell to me, and his pain washed through me and merged with my own.

Please...Alexandra, please, he said, begging.  It was not my wish...you must know this...

She will come here...to bear your child?

He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, and he nodded once before he opened his eyes slowly.

Is there no other option? I whispered to him, and his remorse multiplied in his eyes.

I did not want this, Alexandra, he cried.  I felt the pressure of his fingertips against my side.  If there were any other way, I would seek it. I swear to you!  I do not want this!  I was given no choice!

I could not find breath in my lungs.

His words rushed through me, chilling me far more than the winter winds ever could have done.  My mind tried to push the words away from me—denying that they had ever been spoken at all.

But they had been.

Has Camden demanded it?  I didn’t need to hear his reply—it would be the only way he would have acquiesced.

He has, Branford said, confirming my fear.

What was discussed before I returned? I asked, knowing I did not truly wish to hear this at all, but I had to know.

Branford took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair.  He cupped the back of my head and pulled me against his chest.  I could hear the muffled beating of his heart below my cheek.

The need for an heir has been discussed before, he said, between Camden and myself.  Edgar has made his thoughts on the matter clear.

Branford growled out the name of the man who had turned our kingdom upside down over the last year, continually demanding more and more from us.  His constant threats to bring war directly to Silverhelm if we did not comply with his wishes had put him in a position of great power over our king.

I should have told you, Branford said, but I did not want you suffering the dread I have felt since the summer—the first time Camden expressed his concerns that you had not become with child.  I did not want you living with the fear of what could be demanded.

His grip on me tightened as he continued.

Edgar has brought it up on numerous occasions.  He enjoys my reaction when he tells me I should have married his daughter, for in his eyes, commoners should not bear future kings.  I have ignored and endured his comments, but as the months went by, he kept repeating them.  He all but demanded I renounce you as my wife and take Whitney’s hand.  I refused to comply.  I will not do that, but Camden and the rest of the court concurred—I must have an heir.  The kingdom is too unsure—too volatile after the loss of the war with Hadebrand.  They need to know the line of succession is not broken.  They must be able to have faith in their king...and their future king.

I felt his lips on top of my head, and he brushed his hand through my hair.

Camden is not as strong as he would like others to believe even though he cannot hide it all the time.  He is not long for this world, I fear.  If I take the throne without an heir, it will leave us vulnerable not only to Hadebrand but to others who side with them.  They said it had to be done—that I must have a child—before next spring.

Next spring? I echoed.  It would mean no more than a half-year before Branford has an heir on the way.

Edgar said again that my clear option was his daughter, Branford told me.  I said some choice words regarding my feelings on the matter.  Camden said if I had no other alternatives to suggest, he would command me with a royal decree to annul my marriage to you and take Whitney in your place.

Camden? I whispered as I felt tears finally sting my eyes.  He wanted this?

Branford shifted and took my face between his hands.

He wishes no such thing, Branford said to me, but he is also without clear options.  He has fought against this with Edgar over and over again and would not consider such action lightly.  He fears for our futures and for the future of his kingdom.  He has grown to love you, Alexandra.  You know this.  He adores you, as does Sunniva.

I nodded.

Edgar told me I had but one choice, Branford said.  He said it would be as it should have been from the beginning with Whitney as my bride and eventual queen.  I could not do that.  He has taken so much from us already, and it is because of me that he is in such a position.  I could not let him do that to you...to us.

Can we not try again? I whispered.

It has been a year and a half, Alexandra. Branford closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair again.  Will you suggest to the court we could try harder?  Is that even possible?

Branford pulled me against his chest, and I felt his lips on top of my head.  I had no words to speak and tried instead to comprehend what I had been told.  It was clear Branford needed to secure his successor as quickly as possible for the good of all of Silverhelm, but why did he take such a route to that end?

I had no time to really think about it, he said, his voice again strained.  I should have, but again, my lack of forethought has harmed us.

I reached up and placed my hand against his jaw, my fingers working their way into the rough stubble of hair on his neck.  I turned my head to press my lips to his chest where his robe fell open.

The only other option I could see before me was to secure a concubine, he finally whispered.  Your place as my wife would remain secure, and Edgar would not be able to begrudge me the alternative.  I told them I would take Hadley as such, and she would provide us with the children we must have.

I finally spoke.

Why Hadley?

You love her, Branford said, his voice husky in his throat.  "You will love the children she bears as if they were your own.  They will be your own.  No one but you will raise them."

Does she know?

"She does