Hidden beneath the feathers she knew were the scars of where her wings had been. She wrapped her arms around her midsection and closed her eyes while taking a deep breath to stop the tears forming in her eyes.
Ignoring all the new items in the dresser, Freya dug out her usual sleep shift from her chest of belongings. She didn’t have the stomach to go back downstairs and eat a dinner cooked by new servants. Even the silk of her sheets was too unusual and out of the ordinary. After pulling her old comforter out of the chest Freya rolled up in it at the foot of her new bed. The familiar comfort of her blanket and the dwindling fire in the hearth at the opposite wall had Freya asleep almost instantly.
This night Freya did dream, and the dark beast was back.
Chapter 4
“How did you sleep, Freya?” Lonan questioned first thing in the morning.
“Like a babe in a warm nest, of course,” Freya tried to sound like she was in as good of a mood as her father was. The truth was, she’d woken multiple times during the night due to horrendous dreams and her tone was full of more sarcasm than she intended.
“I’ll have my first council meeting today, and afterwards there will be a large Gathering to welcome us. You’re expected to be there.” Lonan put aside his empty breakfast dish to look solemnly at his daughter. Knowing Freya didn’t like being in spaces where she could be eyed for what their people saw as a misfit, he felt sorry for the occasion involving her. However, he couldn’t disregard the summons.
“I’m sure the noble hens need more to gossip about, how could I deny them the pleasure?” Freya groaned and leaned back in her seat to stare aghast at her father.
“I’m sorry Freya. This will take some getting used to, and the nobles need to have their eyes opened to see there’s nothing wrong with you. There never has been!” He paused and took a deep breath. “The physician will be here with a handmaiden soon. He’ll be seeing to your mother first, and then you. A simple exam, I’m sure. The handmaid will help dress you for the Gathering at the palace.”
“A Gathering at the palace? Yesterday we lived at the edge of the village and now I’m expected to wear silky gowns and parade about the palace? This is too much for me! Father, I can’t do this,” Freya felt overwhelmed as she pleaded.
“Freya, you have to. I went to Gatherings at the palace as a young soldier, there’s nothing to them. You walk around and idly chat with your neighbors and have a few drinks. I know Raga told you about the few she went to. She always had fun,” He reassured with a sigh.
“Well, I’m not Raga, and I never will be. I’m the freak of our entire race and I’ll be a laughingstock at this stupid party. Why yes, Lady Hen, no wings are the current fashion!” Freya huffed and crossed her arms across her chest.
“I will expect you to be on your best behavior for this event. I’m sorry this is hard for you, but our family needs this opportunity! You’re right, you’re not Raga, but you will do as you’re told just the same,” Lonan stood abruptly from the table and reached for the robe draped over the back of the chair. Her father’s stomping feet echoed through the halls until he was gone.
It seemed only moments later a young girl was following a physician in through the front door. After Freya lead the elder physician to her mother the young handmaid quickly set her hands-on Freya with the bags she had brought.
“I was so eager to meet you, Freya. I help dress many of the wives and daughters for Gatherings, but to dress one with no wings is a first.” Her bright eyes glimmered as though she was looking at a new toy instead of a person.
Freya learned the girls name was Kestrel and she had been born into a family who were regular seamstresses and clothmakers for the royal family and high nobles. Kestrel had volunteered to dress Freya, admitting she wanted to be the first to dress the newest Councilman’s daughter.
The seamstress tools Kestrel brought were littered around Freya’s room as her measurements were taken and she was made for the first time to try on the new clothing that had been left for her. All of the new clothing had the normal open back design the
Adaryn’s had to wear.
After the physician had seen to Gwylan he knocked on Freya’s door, ruffling the feathers of Kestrel as she had to pause her work. The young seamstress turned to the dresses arrayed around the room to give Freya a moment to have a brief examination. She hadn’t been seen by a physician since the scars had healed on her back and her feathers had grown over them. Freya knew at the time the hope was that she wouldn’t survive.
The elder physician with streaky brown plumage stated his name was Lark, he’d been healing the nobles for nearly as long as he could remember. His wrinkled hands were gentle as he explored Freya’s back. Looking at the hidden scars and examining the feel of muscle along her shoulders to the base of her spine. He didn’t talk much and worked quick. Lark soon left the girls alone, seemingly fine with his examinations results.
“Now that the old man is gone, I can get you in the gown I’ve picked! As this is your first time at a Gathering, I think it only fair we draw a bit of attention to you,” Kestrel chirped excitedly.
“Attention is usually drawn to me even without a fancy dress. I’m not sure that’s what I’d want.” Freya was feeling even more trepidation as the time passed and the dress was nearly fitted as the seamstress wanted.
“Don’t worry, Freya. This dress will be worth their attentions more than anything else!”
It was a dress of black crushed velvet. The neck was high, and the sleeves were long enough to reach the back of her knuckles. Freya felt as if she was nearly suffocating in the tight black material trailing to the floor with a single slit revealing more leg than she was used to. Where the cutout in the back had been for wings Kestrel had sewn in a white lace detailed with flowery shapes. Her work was impressive, but Freya didn’t feel right in it.
“You’ve been wonderful to work with. Your knowledge of sewing is impressive,” Kestrel was complimenting Freya as she began to pack up her tools after she’d seen to Freya’s hair being done up almost as soon as the dress was perfectly fitted.
“I used to sew blankets and coats with my mother for those living at the edges of the colony. She used to make beautiful quilts,” Freya trailed off with an empty tone knowing her mother was now only an empty shell of who she once was. In the corner of her eye Freya saw her favorite childhood blanket on her new bed that her mother had so lovingly crafted many years ago.
“I’d very much enjoy working with you again. Between you and me, you’re much nicer than the other nobles’ daughters,” There was a sparkle of mischief in the young seamstress eyes as she gently took Freya’s hand to shake in parting. “Good luck tonight, Freya.” She turned, and her chestnut brown wings carried her away.
As soon as the girl was gone Freya made her way to her mother’s room. Gwylan was wrapped up in new silk sheets, fast asleep with a frown creasing her face. In the past few months her mother had sunken into herself. She was almost skin and bones now. Freya held her mother’s fragile hand waiting for the Guardsman who would be taking her to the Gathering.
Another young Guard from the Albatross family arrived not long after. Freya was disappointed he wasn’t as friendly as the man she had met only the day before. But the flight was quick, straight up the side of the mountain to the palace at the top. He was quick to leave her at the entrance where music could be heard streaming out.
The large archway was supposed to seem inviting, but to Freya it seemed more like the gaping maw of a creature ready to swallow her whole. Not only was she the outcast of her people, but only recently she had been at the bottom of the social status. She was about to walk into the palace still a misfit, just not one with status. Her hope was that the Council meeting would end soon, and her father would give her permission leave.
The light was blinding as she walked inside the building, the music almost nauseatingly too loud. She was hit the smells of food in a buffet at the opposite side of the massive ballroom along with the sc
ents of expensive perfumes. Colorful materials swirled around as dancing bodies crossed the floor and a wide range of wing variations caught her attention.
As she entered Freya noticed the eyes dart in her direction. Each look of disgust and shock was a new stab to the gut despite telling herself she wouldn’t care. Gentleman turned their ladies away from the sight of the one they surely saw as an intruder. The whispering seeming to grow louder than that of the music. Freya’s eyes were drawn up to the bright crystalline chandeliers as she tilted her head back to hold in the tears trying to break free. She knew she didn’t belong here. This wasn’t her place and it would never be.
As quickly as she could she moved to a dark alcove at the far left of the ball room, attempting to stick to the walls and avoid the mass of people. The lighting in this area was dim and she attempted to keep her back to the wall. A servant walked by with a tray of drinks and without thinking she grabbed one. A bubbly liquid unlike anything she’d tasted before passed her lips and she quickly drank the whole thing knowing the alcohol could help her mentally escape.
She didn’t know how many of them she’d guzzled before the large wooden doors on the opposite wall clanged open. There were too many dancing couples and moving bodies to see who had entered the hall of the party, but she was hoping it was a sign the Council meeting was at an end and she could begin to look for her father.
“Freya, it’s good to see you again.” A familiar voice whispered into her ear. Her cheeks were flushed and hot, she knew somewhere in her mind that her face turned a darker shade of red when she turned to see it was Aurik standing close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his body. His hand was already on her hip leading her in the direction of the others getting in place to dance to a new song.
“Would you accompany me for a dance?” as they entered the dance floor, she knew there was no way she could deny her prince this request. The slight buzz from her drinks was beginning to fade as she thought of what was happening, and saw the wide eyes looking in her direction. So much for staying hidden in her dark alcove.
Luckily, Lonan had taught his daughters how to dance. The steps came easily to Freya although they were unrehearsed. Aurik easily lead her through the dance with his arms wrapped tight around her. He had flown her through the air so many times before, but she knew this was different. This time in his arms, and the way his golden eyes looked down into her crystal blue ones threw a shift in the air surrounding them.
The music seemed to fade away, as if it were just the two of them swirling together in a sea of bodies belonging to people who now didn’t matter. Maybe the bubbly alcohol had affected Freya more than she had original thought. Aurik was smiling down at her ignoring the looks coming his way as if to question his judgment or even his sanity.
He was holding Freya tight against his chest as they moved, she thought she felt something different about the way he was holding her now compared to all the times before. This wasn’t some princely duty to make one of his people feel normal with an assisted soar through the air, there was a heavy emotion in his movements now. Freya knew Aurik was trying to convey something to her, but she wasn’t in the right state of mind to comprehend what was happening.
Before she knew it, the music was coming to a halt and a crowd was gathering near the buffet tables. All the servants were rushing out with new trays of drinks, making sure everyone had one. Aurik lead Freya closer to the crowd of officials, she noticed they were wearing the symbol of Council members, and among them was her father.
Lonan saw his daughter when she had noticed him. His brown eyes narrowed when he saw a man at her side before, they widened at the realization of who was leading her to the front of the crowd. There was a raging question beginning to burn itself onto his face. Behind the body of councilmembers two figures seated themselves on the thrones on the platform at the back of the ballroom.
A giant man with golden wings seated himself comfortably and for the first time in her life Freya knew she was in the presence of her King, Hawke Aurelian. At his side his small Queen with dark blue wings nestled herself into her own throne. The musicians played a quick tune to get the crowds attention and to let them know to settle down.
Freya knew this is when any important decisions from a meeting would be shared with all the attending nobles. Aurik squeezed her hand before stepping away to stand at the side of his kingly father.
The king lifted his hand in greeting to his people, with a tired smile across his lips. Freya couldn’t help but notice how much Aurik looked like the spitting image of what his father would have been in his prime. The king stood up again, coming to his full and imposing height ready to educate the waiting crowd.
“As many of you will never forget, early in the Spring there were sightings of Vargar encroaching on our boarders. At the time, we didn’t take this as the threat we should have. Adaryn’s suffered a great loss when a skirmish over the boarder turned into a day long battle.” Hawke sighed and stepped closer to the crowd of the Council, almost pacing in his speech before gesturing to the group Lonan was amongst with a wave of his hand.
“We’ve debated for months now, and a decision had to be made. As many of you are aware, an envoy lead by the Crown Prince, met with leaders of the Vargar at a sacred spot of land near our border. Would we have war like our ancestors had endured many generations before us? Or for the first time in lifetimes would we finally come to terms with some semblance of peace?” Freya thought the king sounded tired. She imagined he would be with the history of war and death with a Golden Aurelian at the lead.
“Both sides deliberated, and after a tense series of arguments and hours of deliberating, we’ve decided on terms for a peaceful alliance!” The king raised his hands in triumph before walking to Aurik and raising his hand as well, bringing the prince’s efforts to attention. The crowd surrounding the ballroom cheered and many began to drink the bubbly liquids in their glasses. Once they settled the king cleared his throat to speak again.
“Councilman Lonan, please join me.” Freya was startled when the king called out her father to join the royal family on this dais. “Lonan lost his older daughter, a mighty Valkyrie, in that battle with the Vargar. She sacrificed her life to save that of her commanding officer. His family has been loyal to the crown since the beginning, and he has been more than willing to help us and all Adaryn move into this future that will know peace.” Lonan turned his head to look where Freya was standing but it was as if his eyes were going through her and she knew the smile plastered across his face was a façade. Her heart sank to her feet like a hefty stone in a river.
“We will join with the Vargar in the ultimate pact of peace, a truce that will last for generations to come. Lonan’s remaining daughter will be marrying the next in line for King of the Vargar. With this marriage we will assure the safety of our families.”
In that moment the king’s eyes found Freya at the front of the crowd; he held his hand out in her direction. With a mind of their own her feet picked up and she moved towards the outstretched hand. Freya’s throat was tight, and she had to mentally tell herself to breathe, then her vision began to blur, and she wished she had a larger glass in her hand to drown herself in.
Aurik stepped forward with shock on his face before quickly covering it with an impassive expression for the crowds’ expense. Lonan moved closer to his daughter and the king to stand before the massive crowd. Freya could feel all the eyes on her as this decision about her future was being discussed. The world began to blur, and no words registered in her ears. King Hawke placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, and she vaguely knew he was thanking her and her family for their loyalty to their people, to the future of the Adaryn, and in memory of her sister. Both daughters now sacrificed for the safety of all others.
Freya didn’t notice the king motioning to the musicians to begin playing again, a loud and boisterous song in celebration. Nobles and Council members rushed at Lonan and Freya, she only felt empty and hollow as her father did all
the talking while holding her arm to keep her at his side. Showing off the next daughter he was literally going to be throwing to the wolves.
Freya was eventually pushed to the side as the festivities began in full. What started as a usual Gathering had developed into a full-fledged party. The music was dizzying, and Freya found herself tossed amongst the crowd of fake smiles thanking her for her service to her people, wishing her luck for what was to come. None of it mattered to her.
As soon as there was a break in the crowd, she rushed to the dark alcove she had been hiding in at the beginning of the event. Freya attempted to catch her breath that now wanted to leave her and to think about what had happened. Once again, she was found in the alcove by Aurik, pressing close to her side.
“I know a place we can go talk, if you’d like to get out of here?” Freya simply nodded and took his offered hand as he led her down a deserted hallway. Freya was thankful of the music fading away and the much-needed silence. For a while they walked along twisting and turning through the interior of the palace. If she had been asked Freya would not have been able to find her way back through the labyrinth. “These are where the guest quarters are. Most are empty at the moment.”
“Thank you for getting me out of there. I had no idea this was going to happen. My father didn’t say anything.” Freya sat on the bed in the middle of the unoccupied room.
“Freya, I knew,” Aurik began with a groan. “I knew this is what they were planning, but I didn’t know it would be you. I had no idea it was you. I met Lonan, but they never said your name.”
Freya looked up at the prince she had begun to think of a friend, someone she cared about now. He stepped towards her and Freya recoiled from his touch, the movement blurring made her realize there was now too much alcohol burning through her.
“I agreed when the entire envoy decided on a marriage for peace. I agreed with the Council’s decision. And I agreed when the random new member of the Council was asked if he’d give his only daughter. But they never stated it was you.” Now Aurik dropped to his knees in front of her, almost pleading. “I can’t let them have you.”
The Bird and The Wolf Page 5