by Sarah Olson
"She will come home," I said, moving to stand beside her. "The Enigma should be coming to port any day now according to the logs."
Layla sneered. "You and I both know that ship logs are never accurate. They only make predictions but cannot account for delays and detours." Her sudden pessimism unnerved me, for usually, I found Layla being the one to reassure me in times like this.
I took her hands and turned her so she was facing me. "She’ll come home," I repeated, wishing I could truly believe my own words.
Layla met my gaze with an empty stare. There was no fear, sadness—nothing.
"I’m running out of lies," she said, seriously. "Everyone wants to know where she is and I don’t know what to tell them. I can’t say she went to Malan, the Lake Estate, or Esterness because there are eyes everywhere." She pulled her hands away and spun on her heel to her desk.
"There are eyes everywhere, and not one person can tell me where my daughter is! Not one person was able to stop her from boarding that damn ship! I am sitting here day and night reading through all these reports and not one of them has given me anything worth a damn." She flung her arm across the desk, shoving half of the papers cascading to the floor. She looked over at me, fire in her eyes. "What good is power when you can’t use it to protect your own children?"
The same question haunted me since the day Aria had broken off the engagement with Thomas. It was my biggest fear coming to light.
"And you know what the worst part about it is?" Layla asked. "If she never came back, the people wouldn’t mourn for her."
"Don’t say that," I snapped. Layla was losing it. She had put on a strong front to keep the kingdom in order despite the turmoil we faced.
A tear slid down her cheek. "But it’s true, James," she said, her voice suddenly weak. "People need a scandal to feed off of, and Aria has been their prey from the day I became queen. You don’t think she knows what they say about her? The bastard princess. The granddaughter of a monster."
"Layla, stop." Burning anger began coursing through me.
"The princess who couldn’t keep a lord, so she ran away. I know what they say, and I know it’s because of me—except no one would dare disrespect a queen, so they chose to settle for my daughter." Layla slumped into a chair and covered her face with her hands.
I clenched my fists to my sides. I’d always known what people said, but I had never heard Layla put it so plainly. "They may like to drown themselves in scandals and rumors, but that doesn’t mean Asterians hold no love for Aria," I growled.
"You say that," she said, her face still in her hands, "but you forget that it was the Council members that encouraged us to name Gabriel as the heir when he was born." She looked up. "To them, Aria is just a pretty face with a life they would love to gain control of—I already know they want Juliette’s."
I walked around the desk and knelt in front of her. Layla was right about power—we had so much, and yet there were times we could do so little.
Her brilliant green eyes met mine. "Sometimes I wish I had turned it all down after the war," she whispered. "That you and I could have walked away, leaving Asteria in the hands of the Council." Layla reached out and placed a hand on my cheek. "Our lives would’ve been simple then."
"But they wouldn’t have been genuine," I said. "You and I were meant to sacrifice everything for this kingdom, for our people. Neither of us could have lived with ourselves if we’d walked away."
"I know." She took a breath and closed her eyes. "That doesn’t mean the thought doesn’t visit my dreams."
I slid her hand to my lips and kissed her palm. "You are the strongest woman I have ever known, Layla. Don’t think for a moment that Aria didn’t get that strength. She may have run away but so did you once, a long time ago. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that stubborn sixteen-year-old that ran from anything that meant becoming a queen."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"I remember the day Sir Alexander pulled you into the command tent and presented me with the future queen of Asteria." I laughed as the memory floated through my mind. "I looked at you—young, afraid, lost—and wondered how in the hell we were going to win a war with you as our leader."
"Well, you were terrifying," Layla teased, her mood easing with the reminiscing.
I smiled. "I didn’t have a woman in my life yet to teach me the meaning of being kind."
Layla rolled her eyes. "There are still some days that I wake up wondering why I married you."
I took her hands and raised her from the chair. "And I wake up every day asking myself how I ended up loving the woman that had been the bane of my existence."
"Some things just happen," Layla said softly.
"I know." I leaned down and kissed her just as a knock sounded on the door. I straightened, and Layla pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Who is it?" I called.
"Captain Livingston," Tristan called through the door.
"Come in," Layla said.
I glanced over at her to find that she managed to miraculously compose herself in a matter of seconds. The woman never ceased to amaze me.
The door opened, and Tristan walked in. "You sent for me?"
"Close the door," I said. When Tristan complied, I looked him squarely in the face. "What I am about to tell you doesn’t leave this room."
Tristan gave a slight bow.
"We have reason to believe Prince Rostam is on the same ship as Aria," Layla spoke up behind me. "It is unknown whether or not she knew that going aboard, but knowledge of their acquaintance can be catastrophic to our relations with Surmania."
"What would you have me do?" Tristan asked.
"When the Enigma comes to port, locate Aria and Ethelyn and bring in the sailor that goes by the name Roy Halding," I said. "And to be certain he doesn’t elude us, give the name to every tavern and inn owner in the area. If he stays at one, they must report it immediately to the Asterian guard."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Tristan said with a bow.
"Commander Sattari is on her way to Asteria as we speak. She will help you identify him, as it appears, she has dealt with him in the past," Layla said.
I looked at her, surprised. She hadn’t mentioned Salma was coming earlier.
"Do not let him slip through," Layla continued. "And be certain to have Aria and Rostam brought to the castle separately."
"It will be done," Tristan said.
"That is all," I said. "You are dismissed."
Tristan bowed and quickly exited the room.
"Salma’s coming?" I asked.
Layla nodded. "They found out about the alias shortly after you left and she left immediately. King Darius and Prince Nazir want this cleaned up as neatly as possible. I may not like her, but Salma knows what he looks like and will be a great asset."
I nodded my agreement.
Layla glanced at the clock on the wall. "We need to begin getting ready for the feast," she said.
"Let’s hope it will be a welcomed distraction," I scoffed, opening the door. "After you, Your Highness."
Chapter 34
T HE LANTERNS STRUNG OVER THE GARDENS sent flickering lights across the tables laden with food and the hundreds of guests milling around. Music competed with the lively roar of voices. I strolled through the gardens with a guard in tow, watching as people weighed their plates down with as much food as they could fit. It was amusing to see them fumble with their plates when they attempted to bow or curtsy as I passed them.
I spotted Gabriel off to the side by some rose bushes flirting with a young girl around his age, his thin silver crown glimmering in the rays of the setting sun.
"They grow up fast," Charlotte said, coming up beside me.
"Unfortunately," I replied.
"Were you like that when you were his age?" she asked, playfully.
"I was a soldier in Luther’s army at the time," I said, grimly. "There was no time for foolery."
Charlotte scoffed. "That didn’t seem to stop Dav
orin."
"He didn’t have a mission for the rebels to think about," I reminded her.
Charlotte kept up with me as I continued walking, skirting the edge of the tables to avoid as many people as I could.
"You know, I’m certain you and Layla could have found a decent excuse not to be here tonight—no one would question you anyway," she said. "Neither of you looks like you want to be here."
"Only because you know us well enough," I said, feigning a smile at a lord as we passed. "Absences cause for more questions."
"Your Majesty," Lord Windsor said, stepping in front of us with a bow. "Lady Bateson."
My blood pressure rose. I hadn’t seen the man since that night in Eagle’s Nest and had hoped I wouldn’t for a while longer.
"I just wanted to say that this feast has been quite splendid," Lord Windsor said, his sly tone giving away that there was much more he wanted to say.
I could feel the eyes of those near us. "Thank you," I said, doing everything I could to reign in my annoyance.
Lord Windsor smiled. "You managed to pull off quite the celebration despite the distraction of Princess Aria’s absence. I’ve heard the most upsetting rumors saying she ran away."
"She decided to take leave from court for a while; that is all," Charlotte said, a clear warning to those who could hear. "And I don’t believe you are privy to the crown’s personal matters."
"And you are, Lady Bateson?" Lord Windsor challenged.
I didn’t have to look to know the look on her face—one eyebrow raised, her hazel eyes shooting daggers. There were many reasons Davorin had fallen for her, and one was her ability to take on a deadly beauty when confronted.
"Let it go," Lord Davis said, coming up beside Lord Windsor and placing a hand on his shoulder.
Lord Davis was a tall, middle-aged man with graying dark hair and a trim beard. He had served as a rebel in the Asterian Revolution and had since spent a good deal of his time as one of the crown’s emissaries. Rumor had it that he was planning to run for governor in one of the eastern provinces.
Lord Windsor sneered and shook him off. "Do not tell me you aren’t interested in learning what happened to the dear princess. I believe we all have a right to know."
"I would say we all know what happened," Lord Davis said. "That does not mean we need to discuss it during this wonderful feast—especially when it brings to light some of your son’s less than honorable decisions." He leaned in so those eavesdropping couldn’t hear. "After all, I would just be grateful you still have a lordship."
Lord Windsor was seething now.
I took a step closer to him. "It was a courtesy to extend you an invitation to this feast. If you continue this charade, I will have you escorted from the castle grounds. Am I making myself clear?" I was surprised how level my voice was.
Lord Windsor turned on his heel, the guests around us making room for him to walk away.
Lord Davis shook his head as he watched him leave. "As much as I dislike him, Your Majesty, you cannot lose his support. The Windsor family is old and revered by many."
"I know," I said. "A family that has managed to thrive for generations by switching allegiances when it’s convenient. I’m not worried, though—he doesn’t hold the same power he did under Luther’s reign." That was one of the reasons I had initially been skeptical when Thomas began to court Aria, but the boy had proven loyal—at least for some time.
Lord Davis nodded. "I would say he is more upset about his son not being included in the invitation."
"As if he was surprised," I said, coldly.
"I doubt Lord Thomas would have wanted to show his face here tonight anyway," Charlotte added. "He’s in Esterness for the solstice, and I am certain he’s enjoying himself."
"How do you know?" Lord Davis asked.
Charlotte smiled sweetly. "I know many things."
Lord Davis laughed.
It was no surprise Charlotte would know. While she was in charge of training handmaidens, she and Davorin ran a network of Asterian spies throughout the kingdom.
A guard hurried through the guests until he was standing before me.
"Your Majesty," he said with a quick bow. "Lord Haddon has requested your presence in the advisor’s study. He said it’s urgent."
I nodded and excused myself.
The guard led the way through the guests and back into the castle. When I reached the advisor’s study, the door was open, and I found Haddon looking as impatient as ever.
"Your Majesty!" he exclaimed when I entered.
I dismissed the guard and closed the door behind me. "What’s so urgent?"
"I just received a message from eastern border. There has been a skirmish."
"What kind of a skirmish," I demanded.
"I don’t have all the details yet, but it appears to have involved a group of Surmans and Asterians near Moorwald."
I clenched my hands into fists. We’d managed to remain fairly peaceful with the Surmans for years, but I’d known that it would only be for a matter of time. "When did this happen?"
"The message only just came by raven, and it was written in haste. Two, three days?"
"Send for the queen and the general immediately."
"Perhaps we should move the guests inside for the ball so both of your absences would not be as readily noticed."
I gave him a curt nod in reply, and Haddon rushed from the room.
I walked over to the window and gazed out at the front of the castle. The forest was turning orange in the sunset, and I could just see the modest wall that was steadily rising around Eagle’s Nest far beyond the trees. This was the land I loved—the land I’d dedicated my entire life to protect. I wouldn’t allow it to be threatened again—not after my people had worked so hard to rebuild what Luther destroyed. If war was what Surmania was after, I would make sure that they didn’t survive it.
☐☐☐
The music from the Grand Ballroom swelled through the castle as Layla and I met in the Throne Room with Haddon, Penton—Layla’s advisor—and General Carrington.
"How serious do you think it is?" the general asked. He was a tall man, around my age, though his hair and well-groomed beard were already mostly gray. I’d only just promoted him to general a couple of years ago when Raphael—the man Layla had appointed after the war—decided to retire. While Raphael and I hadn’t always seen eye to eye, I almost wished he were here to deal with the situation at hand since he had more experience.
"Serious enough to warrant it being reported to the crown," I answered, grimly.
"Your Majesty, we must be wary of how we respond if we want to avoid a war," Haddon reminded me.
"We know," Layla said. She was sitting on her throne, carefully watching each of us. Her sapphire glowed around her neck; it’s light caressing the serious lines of her face. "However, that doesn’t mean we cannot respond in some way. I want soldiers dispatched immediately to Moorwald."
"Your Grace," Penton chimed in, "such a move could make King Azad think we are threatening war." The old man stood beside her throne looking very uneasy, which was unusual for him.
"That is a moot point if any of this was his doing," I countered. " The only way to find out is to send more men and strengthen our borders with doubled patrols."
"When we have the information we need about what happened, we will send an emissary to Redvale and attempt to sort this mess out," Layla said.
"We can put an end to it if we find Prince Rostam and return him to Surmania," I added.
"Do we know where he is?" the general asked.
I looked over at him. "We have reason to believe he’s on a ship that should be arriving at the Horizon Seaport any day now."
"We have guards watching the docks, and King Darius is sending one of his commanders to help us identify him," Layla said.
"I see," the general said, crossing his arms. "Was this a new development or did you just choose not to inform me."
"It’s a job given to the Asterian
Guard," Layla said, standing. "Yours is Moorwald at the moment, so I suggest you ready your men."
She had never liked General Carrington but agreed to promote him when the Council shared their approval outnumbering her. When it came down to it, I knew he would faithfully carry out his orders, but his position appeared to stroke his ego, making him think he could argue with Layla or me after a decision had already been made.
"General, you have your orders." She descended the steps, letting everyone know that this meeting was over. "I have a few hundred guests in the Grand Ballroom to return to."
General Carrington bowed. "Yes, Your Grace."
It wasn’t that Layla didn’t care—I knew that—but she loathed sitting around and arguing about things that couldn’t be controlled or changed. I could plainly see that it irked Haddon, but he kept it to himself because he knew she and I were typically always on the same page. We usually discussed our positions on important matters alone before meeting with the advisors or the Council to maintain a united front.
"Have the men ready to leave by morning," I said, as Layla exited the Throne Room, followed closely by Penton.
"I will," the general said with a bow. "May I have permission to speak freely?"
I nodded.
"I realize the Asterian Guard was alerted about Prince Rostam’s possible whereabouts, but you and the queen should know that my men are just as capable of aiding finding him. There are more of us, and we are present throughout the entire kingdom. Something as important as this should be shared with me."
"We only just learned of it earlier today," I said. "I have my reasons for using the Asterian guard, and that is all you need to know, General."
The general bowed again. "As you wish, Your Majesty." He turned around and quickly exited the Throne Room.
I held trust in the general, but I trusted Tristan and the Asterian Guard more when it came to matters that involved my children. The Asterian Guard was composed of elite and loyal soldiers that followed their orders to the letter. They were the ones I wanted retrieving Aria. Prince Rostam’s presence would complicate the situation, but I knew they would deal with it quickly and quietly. We would already be returning the prince to Surmania before word spread of his capture. And hopefully, turning the prince over to King Azad would bring some peace between our kingdoms.
