by Frost Kay
A chorus male agreement thundered around them
“Let go, my lord, you are causing a scene,” she hissed between clenched teeth.
“This is entertaining, but you have yet to introduce her to the men,” Zachael commented.
Sage flashed the combat master a thankful smile even as Tehl scowled, making the men around him chuckle. Tehl kept an arm around her small waist and stood, facing his men. She tried to escape, but he linked their fingers and squeezed her hand. Sage halted her wriggling and stood placidly before him. Her hand felt oddly small in his. When was the last time he’d held hands with a woman? Even though her fingers were delicate, there were calluses on them. At least she was a hard worker. Tehl cleared his throat and raised their linked hands. “Men! Meet my betrothed.”
Ear-rupturing shouts and congratulations were flung their way. Sage stilled, her fingers tightening when his men circled them. Tehl felt her shudder when Garreth kissed her free hand, murmuring his congratulations. He met his brother’s eyes, darting a glance to the overwhelmed female beside him.
Sam eyed her and shoved everyone aside. “You came home at last! I always wanted a sister to bother. Think of the trouble we can cause.” Sam grinned wickedly.
Some of her unease slipped away as Sam approached. Tehl noted her lips twitching, like she was fighting a smile.
“Come give me a hug, sister.” Sam held his arms out.
Sage tugged her hand from his and tapped the arm circling her waist. Tehl released her, grinning at the way she stared his brother down.
“I would rather eat coral.”
Stubborn wench. At least it was directed at someone other than him this time.
Much laughter and teasing erupted around them. Sam pouted for a moment, pretending to be heartbroken. Sage raised a winged brow at his attempt to sway her. Finally, dropping all pretenses, he lunged for Sage, taking her by surprise. A startled yelp burst out of her when he swung her into his arms like a bride. “You and I both know how dull my brother can be. Why don’t we settle you in and see what mischief we can cause?”
“I know exactly what kind of mischief you cause, and I want no part of it.”
Sam winked at him and marched toward the castle. “How would you know?”
Tehl sniggered as his unlikely betrothed struggled with Sam, starting in on a huffy rant. “I heard all kinds of stories from Zeke and Seb about…” Her voice faded out as they disappeared through the castle doors. He glanced at the captain as she untangled herself from one of his men, heading in the direction Sam had taken Sage.
That was his cue to leave. “I better rescue my bride before my brother tries to steal her from me.”
He said it only half joking. Tehl saluted Zachael and trotted after them. When he found Sam, his brother was whispering something in Sage’s ear. She went rigid in his brother’s arms and glanced over Sam’s shoulder at him.
“We have much to discuss.” Sage said.
Tehl nodded. “In private.”
He jogged up the stairs, preparing himself for the battle ahead. They arrived at his study more quickly than he would have liked. He held the door open until all three filed in after him. Tehl shut the door and locked it before turning around.
Sage wiggled out of Sam’s arms, almost landing on her face in the process.
“Don’t be an idiot,” Sam scolded. “I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“I didn’t want you touching me and look! Now you are not,” she retorted. “Mission accomplished.” She turned to him. “As for you, my lord, don’t you ever put your slobbering lips on me again without my consent.”
Slobbering lips? Hardly. “If I was slobbering on you, you would feel it. I am sure nuns have experienced more passionate kisses than what I gave you. You can’t even call that a kiss.”
He ran his hands through his hair and shot Captain Femi a look. Did the woman wear nothing but bright colors? Just gazing at her hurt his eyes. “You explained everything to her?”
“Yes.”
Tehl turned back to Sage.
The rebel.
Also his betrothed. That was odd.
“I did what I had to. It was only to keep our secret. I was not making any advances. You know as well as I do that I needed to make them believe we’re in love. Not sure if we did, but at least I did my best.” He took in her crossed arms, cocked hip, and agitated expression. She wasn’t happy to be here. “Have you come of your own free will?” The question lingered in the air.
Her jaw tightened, and she nodded once. “Yes.” She lifted her eyes from the floor and met his gaze head on. “No one forced me. The thought went through my mind to run.”
He appreciated her frankness. “I understand.”
“No, you do not.” A shrug. “But I could never condemn our people that way. If this prevents bloodshed then I am duty bound.” A sardonic smile twisted her pink lips. “In my line of work I have become well acquainted with acting. We both have our respective roles, but I would appreciate it if you warn me before you touch me, though it would be better if you didn’t have to touch me at all,” she added.
His head whipped to the captain. Sage didn’t sound like she had been apprised of all his stipulations. “All?”
“All,” Captain Femi replied tersely.
He blew out a breath. They needed to speak about heirs. It wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have, but he was never one to beat around the bush. “And what of heirs?” Tehl’s stomach clenched at the horror that passed over Sage’s face leaving her ashen.
She gulped and threw her shoulders back. “As the crown prince, I understand the need for heirs to secure the throne. I thought of a solution that will suit both of us.”
“Okay,” he drew out, not knowing where she was going.
“I don’t care for you and you don’t care for me. You shall not be receiving heirs from me. I would rather stab you than share your bed.”
That pricked his masculine pride, but Tehl pushed it aside.
“That would make for interesting bed sport,” Sam joked.
“Imbecile,” Captain Femi muttered. Sam merely smirked, taunting her.
Tehl ignored them both, still trying to figure out what she was talking about. She wouldn’t have his children? He fought an odd sense of rejection and disappointment as he stepped toward her. Why was she even here if she wasn’t planning on cooperating? “That was one of my stipulations to the ridiculous demands of your rebellion. I will not be denied children,” he warned. He’d always wanted a big family, and he loved having a brother. Tehl would compromise on many things but not this. He braced himself for a fight when her chin jutted out.
“You shall not be denied children, my lord. You may have as many children as you desire, but they won’t be coming from my womb. I suggest you keep a mistress.”
Sam whistled.
Captain Femi cursed up a storm.
And Tehl stared at her in confusion. “I beg your pardon?” He must have heard her wrong. “You can’t be serious.” But from the expression on her face perhaps she was. She wasn’t his first choice to share a bed with either, but it was just something they both would have to deal with. He actually felt a little insulted. “I have never kept a mistress, and I will never keep one,” he stated firmly. “It would shame you, not to mention my entire family line, if I did such a thing. Plus, it would easily undermine our ruse of love.” He stared at her. “And even were I to do as you wish, they wouldn’t be legitimate. Your plan will not work.”
“Have me declared barren.”
Tehl froze. That was one of the most humiliating things you could do to a woman. He would never do that. She’d rather be humiliated before the entire kingdom to escape his affections? He did not really desire a love match, having seen the devastation it caused his father when they lost their mother, but he had hoped to at least like, or have a friendship with, the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. They were to raise a family together after all.
“That way it would not brin
g any reproach on you or the Crown,” Sage continued, excitement in her voice. “I imagine your advisers would urge you to take a mistress.”
Captain Femi gasped. “Sage, no. This is a very serious decision. Just because you don’t want to have children now, doesn’t mean you won’t.”
“I want children, just not his.”
That was a punch to the gut.
Silence engulfed the room, and his pulse pounded in his ears. Tehl had never been so insulted in his life. She wanted children but not his? His hackles rose. Whose children did she mean to have? Did she expect him to let her have lovers? Because that would not happen. He may not have chosen her, but stars above, they were stuck together. No one would touch his wife. If she wanted children, he would damn well give them to her. He was done. She wasn’t thinking clearly, even her friend saw it. “This is not something you can negotiate. It has been written into the treaty. Are you willing to break it and cause civil war?”
“The rebellion had their demands, the Crown had theirs, you had yours, but I did not,” Sage seethed, her hands shaking. “While I was being touched by the monster whom Sam promised to take care of, you and Rafe were haggling over my sale. You had no right!”
“It was not like that.” His voice rose. “That rat changed the demands and your leader backed them.”
She visibly flinched, hurt pinching her face. He needed to calm down. She was as much a victim here as he was. Tehl swallowed the angry words on the tip of his tongue. “I made the best of the situation. I did not snatch you up and lock you in a tower like an evil villain. I gave you a choice unlike your comrades.”
“Some choice,” she scoffed, tugging on her loose braid. “Marry you and lend you my womb, or live my life and let innocents die. I joined the rebellion to prevent loss of life. It wasn’t much of a choice in reality,” Sage mumbled, staring at the wall above his head.
“And that’s why you’ll make a good queen.”
Her eyes shot to his, her face showcasing her shock. The words had accidentally tumbled out of his mouth, but they were true. She would be a troublesome and cantankerous wife but she cared for his people. Ever since he met her she’d proven to be loyal and hardworking for those she loved—both were fine qualities for a queen.
“I don’t want it. I am a sword maker, not royalty.”
“That makes you a perfect candidate for the job, Sage,” Captain Femi spoke up. “Your humility, sense of duty, and compassion will be what it takes to make you a capable ruler.”
“Indeed,” Sam agreed.
His betrothed looked around the room and finally settled her eyes on him.
“We were thrown into this mess, both of us. We’re bound; there is no escape for either one of us.” He stated the facts bluntly. It was better to be honest than play games. “You and I are alike in this. We share that strong sense of duty.” Tehl opened his mouth to continue but closed it. What he needed to say had to be said in private. He looked to the captain and his brother. “Leave us.”
Captain Femi ignored him and looked to Sage who nodded her consent. Sam unlocked the door and opened it for the tall woman. “My lady.”
Tehl watched them leave and gazed at the door after it shut. “I noticed how you trembled when the Elite surrounded us earlier,” he began, turning his attention from the door to Sage’s apprehensive eyes. “Gavriel told me of your nightmares. I watched you at both meetings. You can put on a fairly flawless mask, but I still saw your terror, though you tried to bury it deep, at being around all the men, even ones with whom you seemed to be familiar.”
“What of it?”
He had to tread carefully here. “You fear me.”
Her cheeks reddened at his comment. Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. Sage’s eyes narrowed into a glare.
He rushed on to avoid another argument. “Not in the instance you fear my actions but my touch. You reacted that way with any man who touched you, even Rafe. But know this, I will not force myself on you for children.” His eyes scanned her face. “Honestly, you may be lovely but a woman who loathes me has no appeal.”
A tremulous smile touched her mouth. “Agreed, my lord.”
Stars above, something they agreed on. “I don’t plan on having children soon. I don’t want to bring a child into a world with the threat of war looming. It’ll be years before I want them.” Now it was time to see if she would compromise. “It’s wrong to have a mistress and you know it. The sanctity of marriage is precious. And I won’t tell the world you are barren to save face. I understand you need time to heal from what happened. Would you be willing to give me children if we waited?” Tehl held his breath.
She bowed her head, then her gaze returned to his face. “Would you let me choose when?”
He wanted to say no because he didn’t trust her. If he gave her that power, she could push off children for forever. But they needed to work together if they would survive this marriage. He needed to give her a little trust, maybe then she would return the favor. “My offer is five years.” Tehl watched her throat bob.
“That is acceptable to me… Maybe then my skin won’t crawl at the thought.” She tacked on.
Tehl’s mind flashed back to their kiss in the hallway, at the Midsummer Festival. Heat stirred in his veins, surprising him. A cinnamon smell teased his nose. How did she still smell like cinnamon when she was sweaty? He shook himself and got back to the matter at hand. “Was it so terrible at the festival?”
“I was playing a role, that was different,” she huffed.
“Truly?”
“Truly,” she echoed.
“Let’s try something. Slip into your role.”
“What?” she stammered as Tehl strolled toward her, giving her time to step away or tell him to stop. She didn’t, but he noted she shifted onto the balls of her feet, slightly at an angle, a defensive pose. Her distrustful look brought a genuine smile to his face. He slowed in front of her and held his hands out for her to take. She was in control, she had the choice to accept or decline. Sage reminded him of a skittish foal, untrusting and wary, not that he would ever tell her that. She would probably punch him in the face. His smile widened. What would his court think about his warrior woman? Sage would cause quite a stir, he was sure of it.
She only hesitated a moment before slipping her hands into his. Tehl bit back his smile of triumph. It was a small step, but at least they weren’t fighting. Tehl ran his thumbs along the top of her hands. “See, not so bad.” She watched his thumbs for a moment before pulling away. He let her go and stepped to his desk, leaning against it. “What do you want, Sage?” If they were open and honest, they could understand exactly what to expect from each other. If they treated this marriage like a business, it meant they could be partners. Not friends, but not enemies either.
“The impossible.” Her smile was sad.
“You will be queen eventually, nothing will be out of your reach.”
Her smile turned bitter. “Except for freedom.” She rolled her neck, closing her eyes. “I want nothing from you, but I find myself asking anyway. My family.” She peered at him. “I have been the one running the smithy because of my father’s health. He can’t do it anymore. By marrying you, I will leave them helpless.”
“Your family will be well taken care of. We can move them here.”
“What of the forge? That has been in my family for generations. My parents would never leave. They wouldn’t be happy here.”
“What if we sent someone to work for your father?”
“They wouldn’t be able to afford to pay them,” Sage whispered. He could see her pride stung admitting it.
“You’re entitled to wealth once we marry. Did you not realize this?” Tehl eyed her. Most women he met were very interested in the Crown’s wealth, in the jewels. Yet she acted like the thought never crossed her mind.
She glowered at him. “I don’t want your gold. My needs are little. If I have food to eat, clothing on my body, and a roof over my head, I am content. I
’m not asking for charity. I am asking you for a solution.”
Tehl wracked his brain for a moment, pushing his black hair out of his face. “What if I sent an apprentice from the palace to your forge? There are many, and they are not getting as much training as they would at your father’s side. They would still be under the Crown’s employ, so your father wouldn’t need to pay them. We could rotate an apprentice out every half year or so.” Something warm seeped through him at the small smile that put on her face.
“That would work.” Her lips pursed. “Though I would still like to work in a smith and continue my training.”
Tehl could think of many reasons why she shouldn’t do either of those things, but by her stance he knew she would not budge on these either. He nodded. “We can make arrangements for you to continue both. Anything else?” “No.”
“I will send for Mira and have her settle you.” He clasped his hands. “Just so it doesn’t take you by surprise, the betrothal will be announced tonight.”
She paled. “So soon?”
“Yes.” He grimaced. “The Elite are the worst gossips; I guarantee word has spread already. I need to hunt down my father and somehow convince him to show up and give us his blessing.” Tehl grumbled to himself. Finding him would not be an easy task.
“I can do that.”
He glanced at her in surprise.
Sage lifted one shoulder. “He visited every day I was here. I think he will find me even before I go looking.”
One less thing off his plate. “Thank you.” Silence filled the room. Tehl stared at her, not knowing what to say. He was never good with small talk. “Is there anything else you need?”
Sage shook her head. “Nothing that needs fixing now, my prince.”
Tehl stood and stretched, aware of Sage’s eyes observing him. He ignored her and strode to the door, opening it, revealing a smug looking captain and an irritated Sam. What kind of trouble had his brother gotten into this time? He turned back to his betrothed. “You know the way?”