by Emma Miles
‘Thank you for doing this, Kesta.’
She knew how much it was twisting him inside that he had to let her, so despite her growing anger and fear, for once, she kept a firm hold on her temper. Instead she told him of the two tales she’d heard about the Raven Tower in order to try to amuse him and of the room she was to have in order to reassure him.
‘I will make the best of it that I can,’ she said firmly and looked her father in the eye.
He forced a smile, but she couldn’t completely hide her misery; not from him.
‘And Rosa is coming with me.’
‘You seem to have made friends with that woman rather quickly.’ Her father frowned.
‘I am capable of making friends.’ She punched him softly in the arm.
‘Of course, it’s just that usually you’re such—’
‘Sea urchin! Go on, say it!’ She grinned at him and he responded in kind.
Then his face turned serious once again. ‘My little Kesta; you’ll be okay?’
‘Mother raised me to be a Walker; you raised me to be a warrior. I’ll be fine.’
There was a tentative knock at the door and Rosa opened it. ‘Please excuse me, there was a page on his way up to fetch you for dinner, Lord Silene. Oh! Your pardon, I meant just Silene. I told him I’d let you know he’s waiting outside your room.’
He nodded and turned to Kesta. ‘You’re sure you’ll not come down for dinner? People will wonder why you’re not there.’
Kesta drew herself up and opened her mouth for a sharp retort but Arrus laughed like a barking bull-seal and raised his hand. ‘My daughter,’ he said proudly. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Rosa set about lighting some candles as Arrus left but knew better already than to close the shutters to keep out the cold. Instead she moved the chairs closer to the fire so that she could read to Kesta there. Two firm knocks interrupted them, and Rosa frowned.
‘Maybe they’re bringing dinner early,’ she said as she put down the book and went to the door. She stood back in surprise when she found Merkis Tantony standing there. He looked everywhere but at them and for a moment Kesta feared he’d been sent to force her to attend dinner after all.
‘Forgive my intrusion.’ He bowed and held out a large wineskin to explain his presence. He addressed Rosa, ‘When we crossed the Forest Market you mentioned that you thought the best wine came from Renjal’s stall. I myself love this red wine from Calina’s small shop on the wharves. I know the wharves are not a place you ladies like to go,’ he added hastily at Rosa’s expression. ‘However, I thought you might like to try it and would be interested in your opinion. It comes from Woodwick.’
He handed Rosa the skin.
‘Oh, well, thank you.’ Rosa turned to look at Kesta and shrugged.
‘Thank you, Merkis.’ Kesta stood. ‘We will certainly let you know what we think.’
Tantony stood there awkwardly for a moment before bowing again and wandering slowly off. As Rosa closed the door Kesta let out her laughter.
‘What?’ Rosa demanded.
‘I think Merkis is a little taken with you!’
‘What? No!’ Rosa shook her head.
‘If you say so.’ Kesta grinned. ‘Let’s try that wine then.’
The wine was indeed very pleasant; almost velvety to drink with no bitterness. They had a companionable meal and for the most part Rosa did a good job of distracting her from thinking too much of the day to come. For the most part.
Chapter Three
Kesta: Kingdom of Elden
From the moment she awoke Kesta’s heart began to race and although she felt unnaturally warm, a chill shivered across her skin. Her eyes searched the room and her desire to smash everything fragile was intense. Instead, she poured herself some wine and gulped it down. She went to the window and drew in several long breaths of cold air until the dizziness started to fade. She’d never before in her life felt so much like an animal in a trap. She swallowed and pinched hard at the bridge of her nose, forcing back the tears although her vision blurred. Pressure built against her throat, she wanted to roar everything out from her lungs, but her pride made her hold it back. By the time Rosa came to her door she was composed and also a little drunk.
‘Is it okay if the servants bring in your bath water and breakfast?’ Rosa asked, glancing around the room. She was wearing a dark-green velvet dress and her hair was coiled up on her head. She looked beautiful in a warm-hearted way; like someone you couldn’t resist hugging.
‘Yes, come on in.’ For Rosa’s sake she smiled.
The servants bustled about, clearing things away and replacing them with other things. Rosa sat in her chair by the fire and read to Kesta while she soaked herself in the hot water and washed her hair with rose oil and lemon juice. When she was dry, Rosa combed out her hair; humming softly to herself.
‘If you put on your gown, I’ll dress your hair for you,’ Rosa said.
Kesta could almost feel the woman holding her breath to see if she would protest.
‘All right.’
Rosa went to the bed and moved aside some soft cloth. Kesta sat up straight and her eyes widened when she saw the material beneath. It was a dark emerald green on which were embroidered many tiny leaves in a lighter, glittering, green. Rosa lifted it and she saw the cut of it was as simple as she’d suggested. It had a long, full skirt that trailed just a little behind, a low ‘v’ at the front that was filled with a dark-green lace, and long narrow sleeves.
‘You made a dress that matches my eyes!’
Rosa nodded, and her own eyes crinkled in a smile.
‘That must have taken hours to stitch!’
‘I had four ladies working on it. Well try it on then!’
Kesta smiled despite herself and Rosa helped her into the dress. It was heavier than she’d expected but very soft. Rosa looked her up and down.
‘Well?’ Kesta demanded.
‘Perfect.’ Rosa breathed out. ‘Now sit down and let me do your hair. Are you happy if I pin it up in coils? I have some snowdrops to dress it with.’
Kesta swallowed and nodded. A stone sat in the bottom of her stomach and she wished she hadn’t eaten as her food was telling her in no uncertain terms that it wanted to come back up.
The door rattled a little with a light knock and two giggling young ladies-in-waiting stuck their heads around it.
‘Can we come in?’ one of them asked shyly.
‘Kesta?’ Rosa prompted.
She shrugged. ‘Why not?’
The two girls came in and looked her up and down. They themselves were dressed in layers of silk and lace with jewels at their throats and ears. Kesta steeled herself for their scorn.
‘You look very elegant,’ the younger of the pair said seriously.
‘Your hair is so shiny and soft,’ the other added.
Kesta murmured a thank you and tried not to look cross or miserable. Her nerves were so all over the place that she couldn’t even begin to call on her knowing to better assess these two young women.
‘Right, out of the way then!’ Rosa shooed them. ‘Go report back to the queen!’
With more giggling the girls retreated from the room, closing the door behind them.
‘Weddings are exciting things for young girls who dream of handsome warriors and Jarls.’ Rosa sighed.
‘I’m going to be sick.’
Rosa grabbed a half-filled bucket of cold water and held it in front of Kesta just in time. She put the bucket down and held Kesta’s hands for a while saying nothing.
‘I’m sorry.’ Kesta felt a hot, embarrassed tear snake down her cheek.
‘You were being so quiet; I should have realised you’re more upset than you were letting on. Do you want to talk about it?’
Did she? In all honesty yes, she did; but she wasn’t about to admit any weakness even to Rosa.
‘I drank some wine before breakfast to calm my nerves; I must have had too much on an empty stomach. I’ll be fine.’
Rosa obviously didn’t believe her, but she squeezed her hands and went back to finishing her hair.
‘I would suggest some brandy; but maybe that wouldn’t be such a good idea,’ Rosa said.
‘Probably not,’ Kesta replied, thinking the opposite.
There was another knock at the door and both women sighed. When no one entered Rosa went and opened it.
‘Silene.’
‘Is she ready?’ The huge man sounded almost timid.
‘Just,’ Rosa replied. ‘Come on in.’
As he looked at Kesta, his eyes seemed to light up. ‘I hope Elden realises how much it has gained. Are you ready to do this?’
She held his eyes but couldn’t bring herself to reply.
‘Oh!’ Rosa exclaimed. ‘Just one last thing. Um …’ She lifted a wooden box from the bed and opened it. She winced as she handed it to Kesta. ‘Thane Jorrun asked me to give you this.’
Kesta stared at the contents of the box. It was a chain made of delicate silver leaves. It was plain. It was beautiful. It was perfect.
She wanted to hate it.
Her father looked over her shoulder and gave a grunt. ‘Would you like me to do it up for you?’
She could see Rosa looking at her hopefully out of the corner of her eye. She wanted to rebel and refuse to wear it; to let him know that he didn’t own her and couldn’t buy her. But to shun his gift might start their marriage on a higher level of hostility and she couldn’t help but wonder how far he would go to make her do as he wished. Hadn’t Tantony said the Dark Man had killed a warrior for doing something he didn’t like?
‘Kesta?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded sharply.
The metal was cold against her skin as her father did up the clasp. He stood back and smiled sadly. ‘You look lovely, Kesta.’
She drew in a breath. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
Lifting her chin, she strode to the door and opened it. She turned and reached out her hand toward her father and he offered her his arm to escort her down to the great hall. Rosa followed behind them. A page who had been hovering saw them and darted away. She wished that she’d thought to demand something private rather than have to endure the eyes of all the Elden court; at least it had been so quickly arranged that only those within a day’s travel had been able to attend. Even so, the great hall was crowded but for the narrow corridor left for her and her father. Kesta clamped down tightly on her knowing and concentrated on taking deep and even breaths. She held lightly to her father’s arm but in truth she clung to his strength. Ever since she could remember, Arrus Silene had made her feel safe; he’d been patient with her temper and encouraged her fierce independence. To be taken from him when he needed her to help fight for the Fulmers was almost harder to bear than the thought of what the Dark Man might do to her.
Then she found herself standing below the throne of the great hall. She drew in a sharp breath and bit her lower lip. The king himself stood there. Her heart still hammered against her ribs, but the tightness of her lungs eased a little when she realised the ceremony wouldn’t be performed by some empty priest of Elden. The Dark Man stood perfectly still; he was dressed in an immaculately tailored suit, all black apart from tiny silver leaves embroidered on his shirt. He didn’t even glance toward her.
The king reached out his hands, palms upward, and Jorrun at once placed his elegant left hand on the king’s. Arrus hesitated a moment before stepping back and leaving Kesta alone. She met Bractius’s eyes as she reached out her own small hand and let it rest gently on his. The king moved his hands together and then placed hers on Jorrun’s. She gritted her teeth angrily when she saw that she was shaking. Then the king turned and picked up a long strand of ivy and she took in a sharp breath. This was no wedding of Elden; the king was performing a simple Fulmar ceremony! She looked up to regard Bractius fully for the first time, meeting his eyes and feeling a little warmth return to her skin.
Jorrun’s hand was cool and perfectly steady beneath hers as the king bound them together. Bractius’s voice rang out clear and confident.
‘From this day you are bound together, pledged to work together to make your lives a better one; a happy one. You will listen to each other, respect each other, and support each other; being patient with each other’s differences and imperfections. You will remain truthful, loyal, and faithful to each other in all aspects of life. Do you agree to these terms?’
The Dark Man’s voice was firm. ‘I agree.’
Kesta swallowed, and it hurt, her throat and chest too tight for her to draw in a breath. She was still shaking, but she refused to let Jorrun’s hand take the weight of hers to rest her arm. Could she agree to those terms? They were the pledge of a Fulmer marriage and there was nothing in them to which she could disagree; they were fair and perfectly reasonable. It was the particular man to which she didn’t want to pledge herself. Behind her she heard people shifting and looking up, Bractius’s eyes had narrowed, his brows drawn in tight and his lips pressed in to a thin bloodless line.
She held his gaze. ‘For the Fulmers, I agree.’
The king’s face reddened, and his frown deepened but he forced a smile. She felt the slightest hardening of the tendons in Jorrun’s hand. She lifted her chin and straightened her back defiantly. It was a tiny victory, but she’d made her point clear nonetheless.
Even so, she’d given her life to a man that she disliked; a man she feared.
‘This is an important day in our history.’ King Bractius raised his voice to the crowd. ‘Where Elden and the Fulmer Islands stand side by side united not just in marriage, but in their determination to see off raiders of the Borrows and our old enemy; Chem. Together we are stronger; our combined heritage and unique ways will come together to make us more powerful. Join us now in a feast to celebrate the marriage of my closest friend and loyal Thane, Jorrun of Northold, and the beautiful Lady of Fulmer; Kesta Silene.’
Kesta jumped at the loudness of the cheer and the king reached out to clasp Jorrun’s free wrist before bending to kiss Kesta’s cheek and whisper in her ear; his breath a tickle against her neck. ‘You will not regret this.’
A page stepped forward to hand them both an extravagant glass chalice of wine. In Fulmer tradition their hands would remain bound until the marriage was consummated; however, Jorrun raised their hands and a pale blue light consumed the ivy. With a quick movement he pulled his hand away, and the ivy remained hanging loose, but completely intact, along Kesta’s wrist and arm. She stared at it wide-eyed and shocked for a moment before quickly lowering her arm to hide it. Possibly no one but her father knew of the full Fulmer ceremony, but she burnt with a blush and wondered at Jorrun’s meaning. The man himself had already wandered away at the king’s side to clasp wrists and speak with one of the Jarls who had attended.
‘Are you all right?’
Rosa’s voice was soft at her side and she was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.
‘Better for you being here.’ She shook loose the ivy and clasped the older woman’s hand. She felt a small amount of satisfaction when she stepped on the vine and turned her heel on it.
‘Kesta.’ Her father placed his huge hand on her shoulder.
She smiled but couldn’t meet his eyes. ‘I’m fine. Go mix with the Jarls and see if you can forge any useful friendships or trade agreements!’
‘Kest—’
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. ‘Father, you have made me a strong and capable woman. Don’t worry for me; I’ll make sure that I’m happy and that I find my own way to fight for the Fulmers. Just promise me that if I’m not … if I’m not able to come home, you and mother will come here when you’re able.’
‘Of course, we will!’
He enveloped her in a bone-breaking hug that squeezed tears out of her; then set her at arm’s length to look into her eyes.
‘Don’t!’ she said, feeling emotion surge up from her stomach.
Rosa stepped between them, lightly touching both
their cheeks and then taking Kesta’s arm. ‘My lady, you should have something to eat; you have a long journey to make soon.’
Then they were surrounded by a flock of brightly coloured ladies in all their silk and lace. Kesta curtseyed to the queen and forced herself to smile at the ladies.
‘Congratulations on a most prestigious marriage,’ the queen said coolly.
Intrigued, Kesta called up a little of her knowing despite the proximity of so many people. From the ladies-in-waiting came a flighty mix of emotions and snippets of surface thought, including, to her surprise, jealousy. It seemed that two of the girls had hoped to be the ones to catch the Dark Man’s eye. There was a small amount of reserved hostility from Ayline; she didn’t trust Kesta and wondered how much of a rival she would become at court.
Kesta almost laughed; as far as she was concerned the girls were welcome to Jorrun, and she had no desire whatsoever to spend another moment at the court of Taurmaline.
‘Thank you, your majesty,’ she replied. ‘Thank you also for your hospitality and for the gifts you bestowed on myself and my father.’
‘You are most welcome.’ The young queen hid her true feelings very well. ‘No doubt you will want to spend time settling into running your new household; but we look forward to you coming back to visit us here in Taurmaline.’ She picked up her long skirts and whisked her ladies away. Only the two youngest paused to give her a shy smile and a courtesy which she returned.
‘Will you eat?’ Rosa badgered her again. ‘Jarl Hadjer of Taurmouth keeps glancing this way and it would be as well to move away and avoid that old octopus.’
Kesta nodded and she let the woman guide her past several polite well-wishers and toward the tables. She searched the crowd but couldn’t spot Jorrun anywhere. An agonising hour of polite conversation followed as Kesta tried to make her way back to her father, with Rosa faithfully hovering at her side. Then, as she excused herself from the Thane of Ferryford, she turned and found Jorrun standing before her. She flinched and then cursed herself.