My parents regarded each other silently.
“We will discuss it and give you an answer in the morning.” My mother gave voice to their decision.
I tossed and turned in my sheets that night, unable to sleep with the next year of my life hanging undecided. Surrendering in frustration, I slipped barefoot from my room and down the hall to my parents’ study. The house was dark and empty so late at night, but lamplight glowed through the crack in the door. I toed my way silently up to the frame, leaning as close as I dared to the opening, careful to stay to the side of it, lest they catch sight of my shadow through the gap.
“-could jeopardize her contract with the Van Dryns.” My father’s muffled voice echoed with disapproval.
“I trust her to read Adrian well enough. She would not risk his affections, even for Aubrey. She’s quite taken with him, Mother save her.”
“Even so, surely the gossip would haunt her for years to come.”
“You and I both know that gossip is less dangerous than what is coming. You’ve seen the reports from Makednos. They will be here within the year.”
“Amenon will not stand for it.” My father’s voice dismissed.
“You cannot know that,” she insisted. There was something unfamiliar in her voice: fear.
Silence followed, and I worried I would have to make a quick retreat, but I heard no sounds of movement.
“What do you suggest, then?” my father’s voice again, somewhat resigned.
“Let her go. She will be safer in Elas than here. If things take a turn for the worse, she can remain there.”
“Elas is closer to Persica than we are,” he pointed out.
I heard her hair rustle against her gown as she shook her head. “They won’t press Atenas, not yet. Not until they’ve eliminated her allies.”
“How can you know that?” he doubted.
“It’s what I would do.” She paused. He must not have looked convinced, because she added, “And it’s what my contacts have told me.”
“We talked about this…” he growled at her, exasperated.
“I know what you said,” she cut him off. “But I am what I am, Damien. And now, more than ever, I am glad I didn’t listen. Something is coming. Something far worse than the War.”
I startled in my hiding spot in the hall. In his youth, my father and many other noble lords rode with King Amenon to suppress his brother’s rebellion. Known as Brandon the Bastard, he was the eldest spawn of Amenon’s father, recognized but illegitimate. As such, he was not considered for the succession. Needless to say, the brothers disagreed on that front. The War of Crowns had killed tens of thousands in a mere three years.
“And if you’re wrong?” he asked quietly.
“Let’s hope I am.” Silence. “But if I’m not, I’d rather she be far from here.”
Sounds of movement spurred my retreat back down the hallway. I returned to my bed, heart racing. What could be worse than war? What is coming? No answers revealed themselves to me, and I slept fitfully.
In the morning, I rushed my way through my drills. Quintin noticed but said nothing. When we made our disheveled appearance at the table, I could barely stand the waiting any longer. I forced myself to focus on my breakfast and not be the first to press the matter. I could wait, I had been trained to patience. Finally, it was my father who broached the subject.
“Your mother and I have discussed your request,” he began. My eyes shot up from my plate to meet his, stern and stormy green in his weathered face. “Provided you obtain the Van Dryns’ blessing, you have our permission to accompany Aubrey to Atenas. You will spend a year of study at the university there, and then return to fulfill your duties to this House and your future husband. Is that clear?”
My excitement was hampered by the foreboding of the previous night’s revelations. “Thank you,” I breathed, smiling broadly.
“You must, of course, be attended by a proper escort. We’ll not have you wandering a foreign city unprotected. Gabe and Preston will accompany you-”
“No!” two voices protested at once. One was my own, escaping my lips before I knew I’d formed the word. I turned to gape at Quintin, who had provided the second. He stared back, the barest hint of concern peeking through his careful mask. My parents regarded us in confusion.
“I would be more comfortable-” I began.
“My lord, if I may-” he started simultaneously.
“I find myself surprised,” my father spoke up over us, irritation laid plain in his voice. “Both of you have made it clear to me on several occasions how burdensome your assignments have been.”
“Nevertheless, my lord,” Quintin interjected carefully. “I must ask you to reconsider.”
“You are not the only capable sword in this House. Gabe and Preston are excellent soldiers.”
“They are, my lord. Just not the right ones.”
The room was silent as my father’s displeasure mounted like a storm cloud over the table. His penetrating gaze shifted to me. “And what have you to say on the matter?”
I swallowed hard, my voice trembling meekly. “I would be more at ease with my current detail.” Icy terror flooded me at the thought of finding myself far from home, reliant on the skills of men I barely knew. Quintin could protect me. I had seen it. He carried faces for me, and I’d no doubt he would take on more for my sake without hesitation. I couldn’t go without him, but I also couldn’t explain to my father why that was so. I forced my voice to steady, grasping for a more readily understandable excuse. “I’ve only just begun to make progress with the shield. Neither of them can teach me.” I nodded at my golden-haired guardian. “He can.”
My mother watched silently as my father scrutinized us both. “Fine,” he eventually relented. “The detail is yours if you want it.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Quintin bowed from his seat.
“Your mother will see to the particulars,” he dismissed the topic. “I’ve exhausted my patience with the matter.” We finished the meal in silence.
Quintin excused himself, and I followed quickly after, grabbing his arm in the hall. He turned to me, internal conflict creasing his brow.
“I wanted to thank you,” I forced out. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he nodded. “I also wanted to know why,” I added quickly as he began to turn away.
He tilted his head slightly, and I watched him choose his words with care. “I couldn’t trust your safety to anyone else.” Pulling free from me, he disappeared down the hall.
In the late morning, the household gathered in the courtyard to see my father off. He and about half our entourage would return to Laezon, the rest following in a few weeks after the King’s equinox hunt. Seth and James were among those to accompany him, the latter carefully avoiding me. In the bright morning sun, my father bid us farewell with a tender kiss for my mother and a firm embrace for me. I wrapped my arms around his barrel chest and held tight. I’d not see him for a year.
“Take care, daughter,” he murmured into my hair. When he pulled away, I saw his eyes glistening under the threat of tears. “Mind Quintin and keep that foolish Chamberlain boy safe.” I nodded, my own eyes damp.
Needless to say, Aubrey was elated. I tried to temper his enthusiasm, explaining that everything lay contingent upon the Van Dryns’ blessing. He barely heard me, rushing headlong into a litany of plans and preparations. It was obvious he had given the entire adventure a great deal of thought, and I was glad, for it meant there was less responsibility on my shoulders to plan for the year ahead.
That night, Adrian and a small group of sailors I’d come to recognize from the Greyshor awaited me in the courtyard. Dressed in plain clothes, we made for a motley assortment atop our mounts of varying quality. Adrian’s long-legged black gelding pranced beneath him, the tired nags chewed their bits patiently, and Valor itched with excitement.
“Ready?” Quintin murmured from his saddle alongside me as we made our way out of the stable to meet our retinue.
“Sentries?” I asked him.
“I promised you would be safe.”
After surrendering our mounts at Tommy’s hidden livery stable, we piled through the door into the tavern. The sounds and smells surrounded me instantly, the crowd full of familiar faces that turned to notice our entrance. I was herded to our corner table near the hearth, where Natalia and Alec chatted animatedly. Eleanor had just finished delivering steaming bowls of stew and fresh mead. Many of our escorts settled into a nearby table, leaving Adrian and me to join his siblings. Quintin sank into a seat with a good view of the room.
No one mentioned the attack, for which I was grateful. For the most part, we settled back into our usual ways, joking and sharing stories. Music played, and after a few mugs, we joined the fervor on the dance floor for a bit. I was careful. Very careful. I counted every sip.
Adrian restrained himself as well, moderating his own intake to match mine. I was grateful for it, as our company grew more and more intoxicated around us. Nevertheless, we had an excellent time, laughing and dancing late into the night. Toward the end of the evening, when we had a moment to ourselves, I finally broached the long-avoided topic of Elas.
“You know how it looks,” Adrian smiled apologetically at me.
“I know,” I stared at the mug between my hands. “Do you think you can convince them?”
He laughed. “I’m not sure I’m convinced!”
I met his eyes. “You know-”
He quickly held up one hand to forestall me, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t.” I watched him take a pensive sip of mead.
“Aubrey is my dearest friend. You and I will have many years to work on building our army of wild sea children.” We both chuckled at that. I met his gaze in earnest. “Allow me this one last adventure.”
He considered me, raising one hand to caress my face. Lifting my chin with one finger, he kissed me softly. “And then you’ll be mine?” he whispered against my lips.
I nodded, grazing his nose with my own. “Yours.”
Chapter 9
In the end, he did convince his parents. The letter arrived the next morning, as I sat with my mother in the study. When Aubrey found out, he jumped out of his chair and gathered me in a crushing embrace. Lord Augustus was equally pleased, and the two of them laid out the details of our arrangements. Along with their acceptance, the Van Dryns had insisted that Adrian escort us downriver to provide their clear stamp of approval and preemptively silence any gossip.
The planning continued through the following week until suddenly, the hunt was upon us. Our household was abuzz bitterly early, long before first light. Shera helped me dress in one of my custom wool gowns and pinned my hair expertly. The morning dawned sharp and cold, but the distant sky began to lighten with the promise of day as we wound our way through the streets. By the time we arrived at the city gates, a throng had gathered of both nobles and common folk drawn by the excitement. I noted that our party was significantly smaller than many others, whose retinues of servants dwarfed us by comparison.
The Van Dryn party was one such populous group, though that was more due to the number of family members in attendance. Adrian grinned in the early morning light, the chill brightening his eyes. Valor sidled beneath me, eager to be to task. We didn’t have to wait long before a cheer from the crowd announced the arrival of the King and Queen. On horseback side by side, they made for an inspiring sight. His buckskin stallion with a white blaze stepped proudly through the crowd. Her own chestnut palfrey picked her way daintily along with him. An entourage of servants and huntsman followed, hounds straining at their leashes. At Amenon’s word, we made our way out of the city.
The Kingswood lay far beyond the walls, across a vast grass plain. My restless mount spun beneath me, unsettling Adrian’s gelding and many others around us. I made my apologies and peeled away from the crowd. Once we were safely out of the throng, I let him have his head. He burst forth across the field, months of pent up energy finally finding release. Shera’s careful work was quickly undone as my hair whipped about me. I laughed and smiled like a fool, the first rays of sun peeking over the horizon before me. When I felt him begin to relax, I circled us back toward the hunting party and let him slow to his own pace as we approached. There were some mutters and eyes cast askance as we returned to the procession, but the King and Queen seemed amused. Adrian merely chuckled and shook his head. My mother shot me a warning glance, and I resolved to be on my best behavior for the remainder of the hunt. It would be easier, now that my mount wasn’t trying to erupt beneath me.
By the time we reached the tree line, the morning sun had cleared the horizon and the day had begun to warm. Our party spread out along the forest edge, tents erected and luxurious appointments set about for various parties. None was so luxurious as the pavilion already waiting for the King and Queen, though some made an attempt to come close. For our part, House Lazerin made do with a shared basket and a few skins of fresh water. The four of us divvied up the oatcakes and sausages Greta had packed and passed around one of the skins.
Adrian’s family lounged about under an ornate silken tent, pillows strewn atop the carpet. Servants circulated with various morsels and poured wine for them. Lord Yuri called us to join them, grinning broadly as my mother settled onto a cushion near him. Gabe picked an inconspicuous seat nearby, waving off a serving girl when she offered him her tray.
“You are practically family!” he exclaimed boisterously, passing my mother a glass of wine. “Come, children,” he called to Adrian and I. “Join us for a rest before the hunt begins.”
The massive party reclined on cushions and drank and ate until the sun was high in the sky. I was a bit put off by the entire farce, though Adrian’s company made it more bearable. As the sun climbed, my patience waned, and I found myself constantly glancing toward the King’s pavilion in hopes that he would signal the start of the hunt. We’d already missed the best light. Now we’d be relying on the hounds to flush prey into our path.
Growing restless, I excused myself to check and re-check Valor’s tack. I was adjusting a buckle on one stirrup for the fifth time when a horn sounded across the field. Dogs howled in reply, and I swung into my saddle with alacrity, settling my bow and quiver across my back. Adrian, Alec, Natalia, Quintin, and I waited atop our mounts for the King’s signal.
“I think we will remain,” Lord Yuri called to us from the tent. His wife, my mother, and several others had decided to stay behind. I was glad, for that left us youth to pursue our quarry alone. My mother smiled and waved me off, clearly enjoying the company. Even Gabe appeared at ease, flashing us a grin.
A second horn sounded and clusters of nobles steered their mounts into the forest. It wasn’t long before the baying of the King’s hounds echoed far away, and the five of us picked our way through the wood in relative peace. Natalia and I were chatting quietly at the back of the group when Adrian whistled low and held up his hand at the fore. We drew rein, falling silent. Far ahead, through the thicket, a cluster of deer grazed.
In the near distance, hounds bayed. The herd perked, tails flipped in alarm, and then they bolted. We all heeled our mounts to give chase, Valor bursting past the others and careening through the trees. I egged him on, picking one large doe near the rear. As we closed on her, I hooked the reins over the pommel of my saddle and unslung my bow. Gripping his heaving barrel with my legs, I knocked and drew, waiting for the right moment.
I lurched forward and toppled over his neck when he suddenly planted his feet and skidded to a stop. My arrow flew
in some unknown direction and I tumbled gracelessly to the forest floor before him, landing hard in the loam. I’d been thrown from the saddle before, but not for many years, and the indignity of a Lazerin losing her seat was almost more painful than the fall itself. Groaning on the flat of my back, I saw the doe disappear into a dense thicket out of the corner of my eye. With effort, I heaved myself upright, turning to Valor in anger.
“What in the hells is wrong with you?” I snarled at him, brushing leaves from my gown.
He quivered behind me, still as a stone, staring straight ahead. I stood and turned to see what could possibly have spooked my fearless mount. Not ten yards away, an immense stag towered between the trees. His stature dwarfed my sturdy stallion, pale gold coat shimmering in a shaft of morning light. Two dozen points gleamed on his monumental antlers, ears tilting and flicking. It was his eyes, though, that gave me the greatest pause: gold, as gold as the midday sun, and staring straight at me.
The air around us was still and strange, an echo of memory tugging at my mind, pulling me back to the Temple of Adulil. Here was a creature just as ancient, just as sacred, as the wheat I had laid in offering there. We stood staring at one another for what seemed like a lifetime. A sense of foreboding, of warning, crept into my conscience.
Adrian’s gelding skidded to a stop behind us, and the massive stag darted into the woods. “Fey Beast,” he breathed in wonderment from his saddle.
“One of the Old Ones,” I murmured.
We stared into the forest after the creature. It was long since gone from sight, but I was loath to leave, clinging to the memory of those golden eyes piercing into mine and the feeling of surreal calm his presence had radiated.
“Here they are! Alec!” Natalia’s voice called out at a distance, and we spotted them through the trees. Broken from my reverie, I spotted my bow and retrieved it, brushing myself off as best I could. Quintin kneed his mount and raced up to us, pulling up alongside me, brows knit with concern at my disheveled state.
A Crown of Lilies Page 17