A Thousand Blessings - Book One (Blessings Series 1)

  A Thousand

  Blessings

  Lisa Heaton

  DEDICATION

  For my agent, Emily ~ thanks for the fresh wind. This past year working together has created in me a new level of energy and excitement. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us next.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and themes are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Published by:

  Faith Forward Press/

  Lisa Heaton Books

  Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

  Copyright © 2017 Lisa Heaton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Before the cross Colin knelt with no regard, no respect for its reminder of the Christ. Instead, his purpose was to be there before his Melody, with whom all music had died when God stole her from him. Since that bloody night those five years ago, Colin had yet to lift his eyes to heaven to address God in any way.

  Immediately to the left was the smaller cross marking the grave of their unnamed daughter. Many had suggested he name her, but he dared not. If she were given a name, would he not grieve her loss all the more? Instead, she was a nameless reminder that he had killed his wife.

  “Forgive me, Beloved, for what I must do today. I’m left with no choice.” Colin’s shoulders bounced and his head hung low as he wept over his duty to his kingdom. “Though it is little in the way of consolation, as I promised, I will never give her my heart. Never.”

  The sun rose and completed its arrival and mark of a new day, so Colin stood and turned to face the palace. A decision must be made that day. A new queen would be chosen.

  While he listened to each advisor, Colin had to will himself to remain in his seat. Every man in attendance was trusted and concerned about Colin’s best interest – oftentimes over the kingdom’s. For months they had individually scoured the land looking for the right princess, one who would not only bring honor to the kingdom but one who would be a suitable mate for Colin. He appreciated their best efforts. On many occasions he had asked them to simply choose for him, to select from the list of those most notable, to which they collectively refused.

  “She is lovely, indeed.” Edgar said, speaking of the Princess of Lathinia, the land farthest from their own and requiring sea travel to collect her.

  “The color of her hair?” Not many things mattered to Colin, but that did.

  Edgar cleared his throat. “Golden as the sun, Your Majesty.”

  “I have asked only one thing – that the new queen not have fair hair. That is not up for discussion.”

  “Sir,” Edgar said with raised brows. “We all here agree. None of us care whom you choose, just that you choose. If not –”

  Colin threw his hand in the air. “I know, Edgar. I’m running out of time.”

  “Your majesty, you are a fine king with great integrity. All here support you fully and only desire to see your reign continue. If the kingdom were to fall to your cousin –”

  Colin nodded his understanding. No need to say more. For as long as his family had held the crown, the mandate was in place: a male heir must be born before the ruling king turned thirty-five. In Colin’s case that would be four years from his recent birthday. None yet had ever failed to produce an heir, leaving Colin the fourth generation of his line.

  “I’m grateful, Edgar, for your efforts and support, truly I am.”

  Even as Colin blinked, he could see her image pass before his eyes and remember how Melody’s blond hair would cascade over his face and chest as she kissed him. His hands began to tremble at her memory.

  “We can continue this another time.” Colin stood.

  “Your Majesty.” Simon cleared his throat as he stood, his stooped frame declaring his years. “I have a dark-haired princess who, in my humble opinion, will make an exceptional queen.”

  Colin returned to his seat. The word exceptional had given him reason to pause considering Simon paid no one compliments, not even his king. He was the eldest of Colin’s advisors, a crusty, white-headed old bird, whose service dated back to advising his grandfather. If the woman impressed Simon, Colin would at least hear him out.

  “Tell me, Simon, what makes this girl exceptional? Is it her beauty or accomplishments?” Colin hid a grin as he continued, knowing Simon wasn’t likely affected by such attributes in his advanced years – maybe never even in his younger years. “Did she capture your aging old heart?”

  Simon nodded his already dawdling head. “She did, indeed, Colin.” Few called the king by his given name, but as one who had held him as a new babe, Simon often did.

  “I could provide you with a long and detailed list of her accomplishments, all of which are genuinely impressive, or I could tell you of her breathtaking beauty.” Simon cocked a half-smile at Colin’s mockery. “Captivating even for an aging old heart. I’m certain, though, that we could all do such a thing for each candidate presented here today.” He hesitated for a moment. “What makes her most fitting for you, Colin, is that she is practical.”

  “Practical?” Colin deliberated on the word and found nothing in its implication that would cause him to choose her to be queen.

  “From birth Princess Isabel has been raised, groomed if you will, for the inevitability of marrying as a means of alliance and income for her kingdom. She’s not a silly girl, filled with notions of a storybook marriage. When we spoke, she had a good grasp of the duties of queen and, I believe, the ability to provide an heir and navigate under your unusual set of circumstances.”

  Colin nodded at Simon. “Meaning, you believe she will learn to live here as queen and never my wife.”

  Simon grimaced. “Yes. I believe she will be an accommodating mate for you, Colin.”

  Accommodating, the word rambled around in Colin’s mind accompanied by a distant yet familiar tune: Isabel, Isabel, watch her spin around the room…

  So what Simon was saying was that the princess had the wherewithal to withstand being married to a man whose only affection was for his true wife.

  Colin stood and slapped his hands together. “Princess Isabel it is. Might as well be a name that causes your lips to sing.” With no more on the matter, he left the men standing there, gawking at one another.

  “Elias,” Colin said as he entered his private study. When the man stood, Colin was again aware of how his dominating presence engulfed a room.

  “Your Majesty.” Elias bowed. “I am at your service.”

&
nbsp; “Please sit.” Colin sat across from him. “I suppose you know why I’ve called you here today.”

  “I do, sir. As Commander of the Guard, it will be an honor to bring your bride to you.”

  “I appreciate your loyalty and trust you to safeguard my intended.”

  “I will protect her with my very life.” Elias hesitated as his eyes narrowed. “I understand the importance of this union, Your Majesty. I will deliver the princess here safely.”

  For a time Colin remained silent, considering the words Simon had said the day before. Since that time, he could only think of the words practical and accommodating. Could that be said of any woman with any truth?

  “This woman, Princess Isabel, I’ve been told she is practical.” Colin rubbed his chin as he thought of how to best state his intention. “I hope that is the case, that her hopes are not unrealistic. I would like for you to make sure of that prior to her arrival.

  “I suppose you can imagine, Commander, this isn’t a festive occasion as far as I am concerned. Had I no need of an heir, I would never marry again.”

  “Sir, please state your true intention. I will do for you anything that you ask, if only I might understand what that is.”

  “I have no desire for this woman beyond producing an heir with her. While on the way to the palace, I trust you will make that known, as gently as possible, of course. I would like for you to lessen her expectations.”

  Elias’s eyes grew wide, his look skeptical. “You want me to inform her that she will only serve to produce an heir?”

  “Not exactly. Just make sure her head isn’t in the clouds over our upcoming marriage. If at all possible, explain that this is a royal union rather than a romantic one.” He paused, his tone softening. “Commander, I don’t want her hurt. I know of no other way than for her to have this time to be prepared. If she were to arrive with certain expectations, imagine how she might react.”

  “I will speak with the princess and prepare her as best I can. For her sake and yours, I do hope she is a practical girl.”

  “As do I,” Colin said.

  Elias thought for a few seconds. “The ride from Moneia, with the princess in tow, will be at least three weeks. That gives ample time for her to prepare for your union.”

  “Your help in the matter will be greatly appreciated.”

  “May I ask you, sir, why me? You have dignitaries and advisors well versed in diplomacy, one could travel with me.”

  “I’m not sure, Commander. I considered sending Simon with you since he has already made her acquaintance.” Colin chuckled at the thought. “Can you imagine him gently preparing the princess?”

  A slight smile tugged at the corner of Elias’s lips. “Not at all, sir.”

  “You are a quiet man, a soft-spoken man. I can’t recall ever hearing you raise your voice, yet you command tremendous respect from your men. There is a reason for that.” Colin smiled. “More than your intimidating size.”

  “Consider the job done, Your Majesty. By the time I arrive back with your practical princess, I will have clarified her role here as queen.”

  “Another thing, Elias.”

  “Anything, sir.”

  “Because of your discretion, I know this will remain a private matter. My advisors know my heart, but as for everyone else, for appearance’s sake, our marriage should seem as natural as possible. Our people need this union. A wedding will bring joy to the citizens and to the court. To that end, the queen’s and my private life should remain private, our sleeping arrangements that is. Since I don’t plan to share a room with her as I did…” Colin trailed off, unable to speak his wife’s name.

  “When you return, I will expect that you ensure our privacy here in the palace.”

  Elias nodded. “You have my word, Your Majesty.”

  ***

  Elias rode the final miles toward Moneia in deep thought, less concerned about the princess than the king. When Queen Melody had died, Elias and his men were the ones to remove her body from the king’s chambers. Even as they carried her away, the king sat with bloodied hands, weeping and shattered. Since that time, no one except an older maid had been permitted into the king’s private rooms. The king had spent hours on end weeping and wailing for his wife in that first year, and because of that, only a handful of trusted guards were allowed nearby. That practice would remain.

  Most often royal couples kept separate bedchambers, but that had not been the practice in the Kidian palace. The king’s father and grandfathers had shared rooms with wives they genuinely loved. This would no longer be the case, and Elias understood his king’s desire to maintain discretion after the wedding so as not to underscore that fact.

  So lost in thought had he been that Elias found himself surprised when he discovered he was entering the palace grounds of Moneia, nearing the bridge to cross over through the main palace gate.

  “Welcome commander! Welcome to Moneia,” a guard shouted from the other side of the bridge.

  “Thank you, sir. We are pleased at our mission.”

  Elias continued on, finding the sight ahead less impressive and far less grand than was expected. The palace sat at the far end of a less than busy street. Along the way, as his company of a hundred men had made the journey, it was expected that they would come to a thriving land, one where the men might find refreshment and companionship while they waited to accompany the princess back home. This was no more than a sleepy little town at the foothills of the palace.

  Elias dismounted and stood before the dark and towering palace. In disrepair with crumbling stone and mortar, this was nothing to compare to what the princess was to find to be her new home. She would be a blessed woman, indeed.

  Chapter 2

  Isabel heard the news of the soldiers’ arrival and ran to a west-facing window to watch the spectacle. Townspeople were cheering the men as they rode by, excited over the idea of a royal wedding, proud that yet another of their princesses had been chosen.

  Each of Isabel’s two sisters had married royalty, but neither a king. When Isabel was chosen by one so renowned as King Colin of Kidian, the news spread, and all awaited the arrival of the convoy to take her away. Not much notable happened in a town so small, so any arrival was cause for celebration.

  Isabel wasn’t sad in leaving, not even a little. All of her life she had awaited this moment, that time when her intended would send for her and bring her to his home to live. From the time she understood her future, Isabel had been praying for the right husband, one who would love her tenderly as her father had loved her mother and as her brother loved his wife.

  Realistically, Isabel knew there was no guarantee. All it took was seeing the situation of her poor sister, Aldith, who lived practically in paganism. When questioned by the emissary from Kidian, Isabel had said as much, that her expectations weren’t that of a naïve girl. Marriage wasn’t something that could give meaning to a heart, nor was position or title. To her, from what she had experienced so far in losing her parents at such a young age and then her sisters one by one to marriage, Isabel had come to believe that true happiness wasn’t something ever to expect in life. Instead, you take an honest inventory of your lot in life, accept what can’t be changed, ignore the bad that can be ignored, and cling to small moments of happiness as they come along. Something about her statement seemed to satisfy the gruff old man as his attitude toward her softened.

  During supper, Isabel listened as the handsome commander told stories of Kidian. To believe his tall tales, Kidian would have to be more than ten times the size of her home in Moneia. He described the palace as a place of constant joy and laughter, saying that parties and merriment were typical, quiet only a night or two each week. This was all more than Isabel believed. Once she even told the commander so.

  “I do believe, Commander, that you are telling the longest fish tales to us. No place could be so grand and happy all the time.”

  “I assure you, Princess Isabel,” Elias said with a low chuckle as he le
aned in closer. “You will find Kidian exactly as I’ve described it.”

  Isabel looked down at her plate as her heart fluttered in a way it most definitely shouldn’t. Laughter seemed to come easily for the commander, a trait she most admired.

  She looked back up at him, her eyes fluttering with wonder. “With parties and merriment most nights?”

  “The king insists on it. Most nights begin in the banquet hall where at least a hundred dine with the king. Then after, he has some form of entertainment. Always there is music and usually dancing, but some nights acting troops give performances. There have been skilled dancers and singers and magicians. You can always be sure that you will be entertained and fascinated.”

  “You have told us much of the kingdom but not of the king.”

  Elias said very little on the matter. “He is a good man, a great king.”

  Then he changed the subject to her favorite – riding and horses, a topic which gave Isabel even greater hope for her time in Kidian. Best of all the commander’s news was that the king had a stable filled with prized stallions.

  Isabel lay in bed later that night tossing the commander’s words over and over in her mind. Kidian sounded like a marvelous place, full of laughter and dancing. With eyes closed tight, her heart thumped harder as she imagined dancing with the king, him twirling her around and round the room with a look of love in his eyes.

  After another few seconds of her daydream, Isabel’s eyes flew open and she sat up in bed. There was something about the commander, the things he didn’t say, that caused her suspicion. The king was a good man, a great king. Those were the only descriptive words the commander ever used. He was hiding something, a thought that caused Isabel to speculate many horrible things. The king was hideous to look at. He walked stooped over or had a terrible humped back. Maybe he was missing limbs from war or had no teeth, the former easier to consider than the latter. To kiss a man with no teeth, or even worse, rotten teeth, nauseated her.