by Sarah Olson
My mother pulled back, and her green eyes looked deeply into mine. "Are you trying to get out of the marriage?"
"No—I mean I don’t think so! And if I did, do you have any idea the scandal it would cause?"
My mother stood and walked over to the windowed door. "Aria, marriage is something that should be for a lifetime. It’s not to be rushed into. The way I see it, you have up until the very day you say I do to decide if this is what you want. It’s a decision no one can make but you." She turned and looked at me as I wiped my eyes. "Do you love Thomas?" she whispered, sitting beside me again.
I nodded.
"Do you want to be his wife?"
"Yes."
She smiled—it was a beautiful smile, the one my father had fallen in love with.
"Then this is the right thing to do," she said, her green eyes glowing. "When you marry Thomas, you will be happy. He’s an incredible man."
"I know," I said. "I just hope he doesn’t hate me now."
"Darling, Thomas could never hate you. When he comes tomorrow to leave, talk to him and apologize. It’s all you can do. I won’t mention this to James, for I fear he will think the worst of Thomas if he knew of your fears."
I nodded. This mess was something my father didn’t have to know about; particularly as it was something I was going to take care of in the morning.
When morning came, I stood before the castle doors as Thomas arrived on his steed. My father and Davorin ambled through the courtyard, speaking to the soldiers that would be accompanying them as Captain Tristan Livingston paused by me.
"Good morning, Aria," he said, with a bow of his head. Tristan was Charlotte’s older brother and a good friend of my parents.
"Good morning, Tristan," I said. "Will you be traveling with them?"
"No, not this time." he replied.
"Aria," Thomas said, approaching us. He looked uncertain of getting too close to me.
"Thomas," I said, as Tristan excused himself. I looked up into Thomas' gray eyes. "about yesterday—"
"It’s all right," he said, shushing me. "You’re under a lot of stress, and I get that. I’m sorry I was not more understanding."
"No, I’m sorry." I took his face in my hands—the handsome face I loved so much. "I love you, and can’t let you leave with things so tense between us."
"I love you too," he smiled.
I kissed him, and he pulled me close.
"You have nothing to worry about, Aria," he said. "You are going to be my wife, not Moira or any other woman who wishes they were in your place. I just need you to trust me."
"I do trust you," I whispered.
He held me a moment longer
"I will write to you," I said.
"Are you ready, Thomas?" my father called.
Thomas gave me a crooked smile. "Yes." He kissed me once more and then mounted his horse.
My mother kissed my father, and Juliette and Gabriel hugged him goodbye.
I went up to him and hugged him. "Goodbye, Father. Come back soon."
He hugged me back. "I will, and don’t worry; I’ll take good care of your fiancé."
I stood by my mother and siblings as we watched them ride out under the large iron gate. It would be a month until I saw Thomas again, but I knew now that we were on good terms and that when he returned we would be married. I smiled at the thought because it was something I wanted very much.
☐☐☐☐
The next day, my mother and I traveled to the Council’s Palace to meet Emma. I didn’t ask Catherine to come this time since I knew it would mean Moira would have to as well, and I preferred not to get into a fight with her again. Juliette tagged along, excitedly sharing all the ideas she had for decorating the Sunroom before we even arrived.
The Council’s Palace was a beautiful building. Massive walls ran around it, and once we entered the gate, it was hard to look away. It rose high above, with towers and turrets in all the magnificence of a palace. The Castle of Asteria was far grander in my opinion, but this one had a breathtaking elegance.
Servants made their way in and out of the large doors along with council members and advisors. A servant met the carriage and helped us down.
"Welcome, Your Majesties." he said, bowing low.
"Thank you," my mother said.
We followed her up the stairs onto the balcony that overlooked the Grand Ballroom.
"This is where we will have the reception!" Emma exclaimed, coming up the right staircase.
My mother laughed. "Hello, Emma."
Emma smiled enthusiastically. "It’s perfect!"
"Yes," my mother said. "I remember the first time I walked onto this balcony and looked out into this ballroom." She stepped up to the railing and gazed down. "It was my first ball."
"We know the story," Juliette said impatiently.
My mother laughed. "I know—anyway, as we stated the other day, we will have the ceremony in the Sunroom and the reception in the ballroom. Come."
We followed her down the left staircase, through the ballroom and through a hall that led us straight into the Sunroom.
The Sunroom was made entirely of windows with glass running across the ceiling and along the two walls that looked out into the expanse of a garden. It was a very large room in which we could fit quite a number of people.
"We will erect a gazebo right here in the center, as per Asterian tradition," Emma said. "The guests will then be able to stand around it."
She went on and on about the flowers we would wrap the gazebo’s columns with and that she wanted the two crystal chandeliers my mother had added to hang lower than they were now. Emma was so enthusiastic about the plans that it was difficult to get a word in.
"We will also have lanterns hung around the garden, so when night comes, the guests will still be able to enjoy it," Emma said.
"We should have music in the garden too!" Juliette exclaimed. "Nice romantic music."
"I like that! What do you think, Aria?"
"I think that would be lovely," I said. "But as Juliette said, sweet romantic music—perhaps a harp?"
"Yes, yes," Emma said. "We can do that." She scribbled something into her journal.
"Emma, I would like to have the hallway to the Sunroom decorated as well," my mother said. "It would make it much easier for the guests to find their way to it."
Emma nodded and wrote it down.
Once she had finished sharing all her plans for the Sunroom, we re-entered the ballroom where the palace chef met us to discuss the menu.
I shut their voices out for a moment and imagined my wedding day coming to life. I had finally begun to feel the stress from the day before leak out of me. Emma was going to do a fantastic job getting everything ready, and all I had to do was show up.
Chapter 4
James
I strolled along the riverbank, the stones scraping beneath my boots with every step. The blue-white water roared through the clearing, drowning out the voices of the men that were currently sprawled out by the river, enjoying a midday riding break.
Davorin sat beside Thomas, laughing at some joke Thomas had probably made. The young lord was more talkative than usual, and I assumed it was from his confidence in winning over my daughter’s heart. For the past few years, I had tried very hard to dislike the man and knew it was from the fear of my daughter getting hurt. Layla adored Thomas from the beginning and tasked herself with getting me to like the man. Her attempts were wasted, as the only one that could convince me he was good enough was Aria.
Aria had taken her time deciding on her own volition. I felt Lord Windsor’s impatience with each passing month, though Thomas never appeared bothered. He had been gracious and patient with Aria despite the pressure from his family. She was happy with him, as far as I could tell, and Layla insisted that should be enough for me to accept him.
I glanced over my shoulder at the young lord in his fine riding clothes. Soon he would be married to my daughter and spend his life with her.
"But are you sure she loves him?" I asked her for probably the hundredth time.
"Yes." She placed her hands on my face, her fingers grazing the scar by my eye. "She loves him just like I love you."
My gaze swept the clearing. Everything was green with the arriving spring, and not a cloud littered the sky. An eagle soared overhead in the direction of the rebel villages I had spent much of my life in. Everything was so familiar here—the forest, the snow-capped Northern Mountains and the Great River. I loved and hated the freezing river. Loved it because of the safety crossing it had provided during those years as an Asterian rebel, but hated the memories the riverbank brought each time I saw the crystal clear water running between the kingdoms.
I kicked one of the stones, unable to halt the onslaught of memories that flooded me. I gritted my teeth against the image of Layla falling to her knees, an arrow protruding from her side. Her face as pale as the river stones when I reached her. Her beautiful green eyes wide with fear as blood spurted from her side, coating my hands. I don’t think there had been a moment before that day that I had experienced such terror. I begged her to stay with me as panic rose in my chest. I could still feel the bite of the freezing water as I pushed through it, cradling the woman I loved, hoping and praying that somehow she would survive.
I jumped at the hand on my shoulder, the urge to vomit hitting me in the gut.
"James," Davorin said, his voice bringing me back to the present.
I shook off his hand and looked at him.
"You all right?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied gruffly.
Davorin gave me a knowing look. It may have been seventeen years, but I still woke from nightmares, reaching out for Layla for her warmth was all that kept them at bay.
"They ready to move?" I asked, spotting Thomas still seated and watching us.
"Just say the word," Davorin said.
I stalked past him and barked out orders to keep moving.
The guards rose quickly from the riverbank and began mounting their horses.
"You didn’t eat," Thomas commented as I brushed past him to my horse.
"Not hungry," I said, my stomach still churning from the memory. I swung up into my saddle and urged my horse toward the bridge that straddled the massive river.
Davorin rode up beside me while Thomas and the soldiers fell back. The horses clamored over the wooden bridge and into Malan, the cool breeze of the north sweeping my nightmares behind me.
The night before we reached Kings City, we settled in a cluster of budding trees just off the road. I sat away from the fire where the guards laughed and drank, watching the surrounding trees. Even though I knew King Darius kept these roads safe, the soldier in me remained wary. Boots rustled through the underbrush and Thomas sat beside me—far enough away to allow me space, but close enough to know he wanted to talk.
"Here," Thomas said, holding a plate out with roasted rabbit.
"Thank you," I replied, taking the plate from him.
Thomas sat in silence, staring up at the sky as I devoured the meat.
"Do you always have to travel to Malan when you want to see King Darius, or does he ever come to Asteria?" Thomas asked when I finished.
"He’s getting old," I replied, setting the plate down. "It’s easier for me or Layla to go to him."
"It’s impressive to have such a strong alliance with another kingdom that the kings would meet in person," Thomas marveled.
"We are good friends," I said. "I owe the king a lot for aiding us against Luther."
Thomas nodded. "Aria made a mention of getting a vacation home in Kings City."
"I don’t doubt it," I replied, scanning the trees again. "She was born in that city."
"It’s a beautiful city," Thomas commented. He remained silent a moment, and I could tell that he had more to say. "Your Majesty," he began again, pausing for a nervous breath, "you know I want the best for Aria . . . "
I threw him a sidelong glance, waiting for him to finish.
"I’m just . . . I’m afraid I won’t make her as happy as you and the queen are."
I raised an eyebrow, uncertain of where he was going with this. "Are you having second thoughts?" My voice was deadlier than I intended, but it was difficult to pretend I was fine with a conversation like this, especially when it concerned my daughter’s happiness.
Thomas shook his head quickly. "Not in the least, Your Majesty. I love Aria, and I am committed to her—I promise. But how have you and the queen managed to remain content with each other all these years?"
I gave a sharp laugh. "If marriage advice is what you want, you’re better off asking the queen, or Davorin for that matter."
Thomas averted his gaze, embarrassment shining through.
Just answer the damned question, Layla would have said if she were here.
I turned to him and waited until he met my gaze. "It’s not easy if that’s what you were wondering. Layla and I fight . . . a lot more than I’d like to admit, but that’s something we have done since the day we met. But if there is one thing that keeps us together, it’s that we work together best. We solve problems together, we forgive each other, and we just love each other. Our marriage is far from perfect, but it’s worth everything." I glanced up into the sky, the stars sparkling in the darkness. "I can’t imagine my life without her," I admitted, realizing this was the deepest conversation I had ever allowed to pass between Thomas and me.
"So it’s all worth it?" Thomas asked.
I looked over at him again. "Every moment."
Thomas gave a relieved smile. "She’s worth it all to me."
"Well, you would be finding yourself in some trouble if she wasn’t," I said smoothly, letting the threat linger in the air between us.
"She’s lucky to have you as a father, Your Majesty," he said, standing and brushing the dirt from his riding britches. "I appreciate your honesty."
"All I care about is her happiness," I said.
"I know. Good night, Your Majesty." Thomas gave a small bow and walked back towards the campfire.
The guards were quieting now and preparing their bedrolls for the night.
I leaned my head back onto the tree and closed my eyes. If Thomas could be what Layla was to me for Aria, then perhaps I was wrong to be apprehensive over their union. It was just difficult to release even a fraction of the responsibility I felt for her. I had to protect her in every way I could, the way I did for my other children and even Layla.
Layla—the woman I never deserved but had somehow fallen in love with me. She had loathed me for so long that when it struck me that I loved her, I feared it would only ever be unrequited. I wanted to tell her so many times, especially when we crossed Avalanche Pass together, but I could almost feel her disdain when she looked at me. The night on the mountain that she had unknowingly rolled into me during her sleep, I didn’t sleep a wink. Having her so close, her hair sprawled across her face—it was all I could do to keep myself from brushing it back.
Then there was the ball and that bastard lord that had his hands all over her as they danced, and all I wanted to do was bash his teeth in. Before I realized what I was doing, I was cutting in and risking our cover so I could dance with her, that red gown sweeping across the marble floor, and those striking green eyes watching me from behind her mask.
I opened my eyes and stared up into the night sky. The campfire behind me was mere glowing embers now, and crickets chattered in the darkness. Tomorrow we would reach Kings City, and the faster I got things done, the sooner I would be back with Layla.
☐☐☐☐
The streets of Kings City were alive with crowds of people moving through the market vendors and shops that stood on either side of us. Our horses’ hooves echoed in the stone city as we followed some of the Malanese Guard in thei
r golden armor as they strolled among the throng of people. Some shouted greetings to us as we rode by. The smell of food and spices wafted through the air, as the streets rose higher and higher towards the castle that jutted out from the mountain’s face.
"I love this city," Davorin said from beside me. He waved at two young girls that watched us pass, broad smiles on their faces. "It’s just so . . . alive."
I nodded in agreement. "A bit too crowded for my taste, but great all the same."
Davorin laughed. "If you hadn’t married the princess, I would bet you’d be in some cabin in the Northern Mountains by yourself."
I felt my lips tug up into a smile and shook my head. "You’re probably right. And if I hadn’t gone on my own volition, Layla would have banished me to one."
"We all know she can only stand you because, for some reason unbeknownst to me, she loves you." Davorin blew a low whistle. "Still can’t figure that one out."
I could not help but laugh at that.
We reached the top of the city and waited as the guards opened the large iron doors that entered into the castle’s inner courtyard. The streets here were quiet, with more guards milling around than civilians. I urged my mount forward and followed the guards through the doors and into the gray stone courtyard that sat before the towering castle. The enormity of the castle never ceased to amaze me, nor did the knowledge of the countless halls, stairways and rooms that ran through the mountain behind it.
Servants came out, their white clothing and red sashes billowing in the wind, to take our horses. Another exited through the castle’s thick wooden doors and bowed before me.
"Welcome, Your Majesty," he said, his Malanese accent thick. "The king is occupied at the moment, so please allow us to take your things and escort you to your chambers. I’m certain you would like to freshen up after your long journey."
"Of course," I said, nodding to my guards to hand our things to the waiting servants standing around us.
"This way," the servant that had greeted us continued. He gestured for us to follow.
We strolled down the halls and used a couple of staircases until we reached the hall I knew well that was designated for Asterian royalty. The servant showed Thomas and Davorin to their rooms as well as the guards to their quarters before leading me to the large door that stood at the end of the hall.