Serpent: Book II of the Asterian Trilogy

by Sarah Olson

  I leaned on the railing and looked down into the water. Whether they immediately approved or not, I knew I would be subject to the preparation of another royal wedding. There would be months of planning, not to mention the dinners in which Roy would be expected to present himself in a manner that made him worthy of joining my family.

  While I missed them and being in the castle, I had to admit these last couple of months had been a much-needed escape. I’d spent my life in a castle, followed around by guards and ladies-in-waiting—rarely having a moment of privacy and peace. I didn’t envy the life Gabriel had as the future king.

  I turned around and watched the sailors milling about. A cabin boy scrubbed the deck while a couple of sailors sat around a barrel playing cards. Roy stood talking to Seif on the quarterdeck.

  I crossed the ship and made my way over to them.

  "Ah, Princess," Seif said. "Beautiful day, isn’t it?"

  I smiled. "Yes, Captain, it is."

  He looked up at the sky. "The sun is shining, and winds are in our favor. I’m happy to report that we are making excellent time."

  "When do you expect us to be in Asteria?" I asked.

  "A fortnight at most, but I would expect sooner," he answered. He glanced over at Roy. "It will be good to return to the mainland."

  "Indeed," Roy agreed.

  "Very good," I added. "Captain, would you excuse Roy for a moment, I need to speak with him."

  Seif gave a small bow. "Of course, Your Highness."

  I watched as he made his way down to the main deck. It was both odd and refreshing to hear formal titles again.

  Roy looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"

  I tilted my head. "Not at all," I teased.

  Roy gestured for me to follow him to the back of the quarterdeck. He leaned against the rail, watching me closely.

  I licked my lips nervously and met his eyes. "I was thinking about us and our engagement," I began.

  "You aren’t rethinking it . . . " Roy trailed off.

  "No, no," I assured him. "I’m just concerned with how it will be received and what will be expected."

  Roy narrowed his eyes. "In what way, because I’m Surman?"

  I bit my lip. "That may be an issue—but one I’m not too concerned about."

  "Then what is it?"

  "When we get back, after everyone gets over our engagement, they will begin planning a royal wedding, and I don’t think I want to deal with that again, at least not so soon after the last one."

  Roy straightened, watching me carefully. "So you want us to wait a while before getting married," he concluded, his tone serious.

  I took his hand. "No, I want to get married before we reach Asteria."

  Roy frowned for a moment as if he were trying to understand my meaning. "You’re serious?"

  "Is that too soon?" I asked, suddenly worried that he would be taken aback by my want to rush things.

  He scratched his head and smiled. "No, it’s not too soon—I just want to be sure that you’re going to be happy with that arrangement."

  "I will," I said. "A royal wedding will take time to plan and will become something that isn’t about us. There will be politics in who's invited, and we would have to spend time with lords and ladies that are more concerned about getting two minutes to speak to my parents than see us wed. I wanted that before, but it feels like a lifetime ago now. I just want it to be about us, Roy. Just something simple. If it adds to my list my scandals, then so be it."

  Roy laughed. "I would say it will."

  "But I don’t care," I insisted. "I’m not going to be the queen of Asteria; I will always remain the princess. I don’t even want to live in the castle."

  Roy took my hands in his. "That’s a relief," he said, with a smirk.

  "That I won’t be queen or that I don’t want to live in the castle?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Living in the castle," Roy answered. "I was going to ask how you would feel about getting our own place in Asteria once we were wed."

  "Is royalty not to your liking?" I teased.

  Roy gave me a thin smile. "Not at the moment."

  "Well that will have to change since living away from the castle doesn’t mean you won’t ever be going there," I said.

  "I know. But you are certain? You want to marry me now?"

  I nodded enthusiastically.

  Roy leaned down and kissed me lightly. "Very well then, my love; let’s get married."

  ☐☐☐☐

  The following day, I rummaged through the wardrobe, searching for something that would be suitable to wear for a makeshift wedding that night. When we asked Seif to marry us, he requested that we have the ceremony the following day so he could turn it into a celebration for the sailors—that ceremony was mere hours from now.

  "Come in," I called when a knock sounded at the door.

  I glanced over my shoulder as Stephen walked in. His hair was combed, and while he didn’t seem as downcast as the last few days, his face remained serious when I greeted him. I picked up two of the dresses I was torn between and dropped them on the bed.

  "I hear congratulations are in order," Stephen said. "Though I’m surprised you want to get married on the ship."

  I shrugged. "Well, I’m not up for a royal wedding when we return to Asteria—I can’t go through that preparation and wait again."

  Stephen gave a slight nod. "That’s understandable."

  "What?" I asked when it looked like he had more to say.

  Stephen crossed the room so he was only inches from me. I had to look up so I could meet his troubled gaze.

  "Are you sure that this is wise?" he asked.

  "Getting married on the ship?" I replied, wondering why where I married Roy mattered.

  "No, marrying Roy—you barely know him."

  I blinked back in surprise. "I do know him—I love him."

  Stephen shook his head. "It’s been what, two, three months since you met? You knew Thomas for two years, and yet, you didn’t really know him."

  "Why are you saying this?" I asked quietly, feeling as if I had been slapped across the face.

  Stephen looked away. "Because Ethelyn isn’t here to . . . She always made your safety her priority. Everything she’s ever done was to protect you, and when you were attacked on the Enigma, and then we were separated after the wreck, she spent every day worrying about you and blaming herself. If she were here now, she wouldn’t let you go through with this."

  I took a step back, trying to process his words.

  "Roy is your friend," I reminded him. "You trust him, or you would’ve never allowed me to come."

  "But that’s the point, Aria. He’s my friend, and I’ve known him for some time now, but even I don’t really know him. He never speaks about his past. I have no idea what his life was like before he came to the Enigma—what if he’s using you? Marrying you is power. I know you aren’t the heir, but it’s still a statement."

  "Roy loved me before he knew who I was," I snapped. "I love him and want to be with him."

  "But are you sure?"

  I glared at him. "How dare you question my love when I never questioned yours to Ethelyn?" I growled. "If she were in the same position, I would support her!"

  "It’s not the same. I knew who she was when we met, we never kept secrets, and that’s what your love with Roy has been built on."

  I was angry now. "You think you know everything about us, don’t you! You come in here acting like you know every word that has passed between us and everything either of us has ever felt when you know nothing."

  "What I do know is that Ethelyn was always right when it came to you, and she didn’t trust him—I don’t even trust him enough with this, with you. I beg you, put the wedding off and wait until you reach your parents. Let them give you their opinion—"

  "I am tired of living my life according to everyone’s opinion!" I nearly screamed. "That’s all my life has been. I’ve had to follow every protocol since
I was a child. Everything had to be done the right way so people wouldn’t judge me, but has that stopped them? Don't you think I hear the whispers everywhere I go? Oh, look, there goes the bastard daughter of the queen, poor thing—but good thing she won’t be queen, bad blood runs through those veins." Tears ran down my cheeks. "For once, this is my decision and mine alone," I said, more quietly. "This time I’m choosing what I want for my happiness, and if anyone has a problem with it, then let them."

  Stephen’s face was unreadable.

  "And don’t think Ethelyn would have been able to stop me," I continued. "I respected her and regarded her as one of my closest friends, but at the end of the day, she served me."

  He took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well, Milady. I won’t interfere further in your affairs."

  Before I could say another word, Stephen turned and strode from the room.

  My body shook with anger and frustration. Despite my attempts to ward Stephen’s words away, he had planted doubt in me—doubt over what Roy and I had, over the realization that I still knew little of Roy’s life in Surmania. I grabbed a brass candlestick from the bedside table and flung it across the room at the beautifully carved paneled wall. It struck it with a crash, splintering the wood.

  No more. I was done being the princess everyone expected me to be.

  I stared at the two dresses on the bed, trying to decide which I liked best despite my anger. I ran my fingers down a dark blue one with a pale blue trim and bell sleeves. It was the most elegant I had. I picked it up and held it in front of me before a full-length mirror trying to imagine myself in it marrying Roy. My current wardrobe meant I would have to forgo the traditional white most brides wore, but I supposed this one would do.

  It was odd having to dress myself for the occasion; the thought only bringing on more sorrow over Ethelyn’s absence. The notion that she was gone and never coming back didn’t feel real. I almost half expected her to walk through the bedroom doors ready to help me prepare for the night. Though while she did so, she would be making certain I knew she opposed my decision.

  A tear slid down my cheek, and I swatted it away. Ethelyn and I didn’t always agree but that didn’t mean she was always right. I set the dress down again and took a breath. It was time to get ready and become Roy’s wife.

  ☐☐☐☐

  I paced the room in my undergarments. The sun was setting, and I knew it was only a matter of time before there would be a knock at the door. I looked in the mirror and took a calming breath. I had pulled half of my hair up and let the rest fall around my shoulders—it was the best I could do without help. I had nothing for my face—no kohl to line my eyes or lip stain to bring life to my mouth. While I was far from questioning my resolve to marry Roy, I couldn’t help but miss the luxuries of the castle. I missed the wedding gown I never wore, the feeling of a wonderful, rose-scented bath before, the beautiful hair combs and diamond jewelry I would’ve worn. But this was what I wanted, to marry Roy right here, right now—to avoid the stress of a royal wedding. On the Ocean’s Fury, days away from Asteria, Roy and I had a chance to celebrate this special moment with one another. I already knew the sailors would be more interested in the meal Bruhier would be cooking—the best he could muster on a ship—not to mention the rum that was being brought out from below. Having this wedding now gave me a sense of privacy I otherwise wouldn’t have felt.

  I picked the dress up and stepped into it. The fabric was soft on my skin as I pulled it over my undergarments. When I finished lacing up the front of it, I looked at my reflection. My hair was a stark contrast to the dark blue. The pale blue trim added a note of elegance along with the fine bell sleeves. I turned in the mirror, admiring Emily’s taste.

  As I glanced around the room in search of my slippers, my eyes landed on the large bed. Roy had spent each night in here with me, but tonight it would be different. I felt my body go cold as my stomach tightened with anticipation—anticipation filled with both fear and excitement. I clenched my hands into fists as they began to tremble with the sudden onslaught of nerves that would undoubtedly leave me sick if I didn’t get control over them. Tonight all boundaries would be crossed, and I was uncertain of what to expect.

  There was a soft knock ay the door.

  "Come in," I said when I found my voice.

  The door opened, and Tarique peeked through the doorway, beaming. "Are you ready, Milady?" he asked.

  I ran my hands down the front of the dress, ridding it of any lingering wrinkles and looked up at him.

  "Let me just grab my slippers, and I will be."

  Chapter 39

  W HEN I FOLLOWED TARIQUE onto the main deck, I found that all the sailors had gathered and were standing at attention in two lines. I’d hardly expected such formality and was just as surprised when they all bowed as I passed. My heart quickened as I made it to the steps that would take me up to the quarterdeck and Roy. Someone began playing a slow song on a fiddle as I placed my hand on the rail and took a deep breath. It was time.

  I raised my eyes to find Roy standing at the top of the steps, a broad smile stretched across his face. He wore his nicest shirt with a dark vest buttoned over it. His cape fluttered in the summer breeze, a shining sword at his side. When I met his gaze, each step up felt like a lifetime. I had to tell myself to breathe to maintain control over my nerves.

  "You are so beautiful," Roy said when I reached the top of the stairs. He stretched his hand out for mine, his eyes bright in the day’s last rays of sunlight. The way he looked at me, so much love in his gaze, was enough for me to know that this was right.

  I blushed and took his hand. "Thank you," I whispered.

  Roy squeezed my hand and led me to Seif and Stephen who were standing off to the side. I kept my eyes on Roy, knowing that if I looked down at the sailors watching below, I would be too nervous to speak. While I was certain this was what I wanted, I couldn’t help but notice the missing presence of family. I hoped I didn’t hurt them too much by not allowing them to be part of this moment in my life.

  I took a steadying breath and met Roy’s eyes. The ocean blue-green of his irises lulled me back out of any reservations that formed in my mind and pulled me away from those around us. For a moment, it was just us. The salty breeze whispered through his hair as he watched me in a way that made me understand and believe that he would never stop loving me.

  "I have to say that I’m honored to have been asked to marry the princess to my good friend Roy," Seif was saying, his voice snapping me back into the moment. "I can’t say I’ve ever done a wedding before, but I’ll do my best."

  Quiet laughter from the sailors below drifted up towards us.

  "So, let’s hope I get this right," Seif said with a wink. "Today we gather on the Ocean’s Fury on this fine evening to celebrate a marriage that is likely to shock the kingdoms."

  Roy rolled his eyes at Seif who whispered so the others couldn’t hear, "Well, you eloping is bound to create plenty of gossip."

  "Just continue," Roy said, visibly annoyed.

  I squeezed his hand and gave him a smile, so he knew I didn’t mind—I was very much aware of the repercussions.

  Seif cleared his throat. "But I have no doubt that these two will be an example to the kingdoms of what it means to love another truly." He turned to Roy. "Roy I’ve known you for a few years now, and in that time, I’ve never seen you happier. I’m happy for you, for you both." He turned to me. "Princess Aria, it’s only been a couple of months since we met, but I can tell that you have a big heart and a brilliant future ahead. I can only hope that Roy will make you as happy as you’ve made him."

  I smiled.

  "Well then, Princess Aria of Asteria, do you take this man to be your husband?" Seif asked.

  "I do," I said, the confidence in those two words surprising even me.

  "And you, Roy Halding, do you take this princess to be your wife?"

  Roy’s eyes bore into mine. "I do."

  Butterflies took flight in my
stomach as the words left his lips.

  "Well then," Seif said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife!"

  The sailors cheered as Roy released my hands and pulled me into him for a kiss. I wrapped my arms around him, savoring the feeling that we were married now and nothing could ever tear us apart.

  ☐☐☐☐

  "Congratulations," Stephen said to me as I leaned on the rail of the main deck.

  Roy had walked away for a moment, leaving me to watch the sailors drink and eat to their hearts' content in the glow of the many lanterns spread around the deck. It had been some time since the ceremony, and the merrymaking was beginning to die down.

  "Thank you," I said, surprised he had even bothered.

  "I’m happy for you, Aria," he said quietly. "I really am. I was out of line earlier."

  I shrugged. "You felt the need to protect me; I get it."

  Stephen nodded. "Yes, but I now realize that’s not my place—never really was. It’s Roy’s place now."

  I turned so I could face him fully. "And he will Stephen. I trust him with my life."

  "I know," he said. "And I wish you all the happiness in the world."

  "Thank you, Stephen. That means a lot."

  "If you want any more food, I would suggest you get it now since Bruhier is telling the cabin boys to start picking up," Roy said, coming up behind Stephen and clapping him on the back.

  "I guess I probably should since it will be the best meal we’ll be having until we make port," Stephen laughed. "Well, congratulations to you both."

  "Thank you," Roy said.

  Stephen began to walk away and then turned on his heel and looked at Roy. "Oh, and if you hurt her, I will kill you." He said it lightheartedly, but the threat was there.

  "You’d have to get in line," I joked, hoping Roy didn’t catch how serious Stephen was being.

  Roy laughed. "You have nothing to worry about Stephen."

  Stephen smiled and walked away without another word.

  "What’s wrong with him?" Roy asked, watching Stephen head back toward the food.