I spied Celia smirking from the corner of my eye. “Fine then, go where you like. You’ve been locked up for days, and I know how you chafe at confinement.”
It was a tempting offer, and it would be my last chance to do something for myself. I could search for Lord Herrondell and try to find out what happened in the fishing village. Celia grabbed my cloak and held it out for me. I was convinced. I gave her a brilliant smile and slipped it on. Celia fluffed my hair and wiped imaginary lint off my cloak. My hands shook and I clamped them down at my side. I had snuck out hundreds of times, and I had never felt this sense of uncertainty.
I could try to pretend it was for Celia’s sake. She was risking my aunt’s wrath—she might even lose her position if we were caught. The truth was I wanted to see Mat. I had never been intrigued by a man before. I can find him fascinating and not be in love with him. The thought bolstered my confidence. I’ll just go out for a quick stroll, just to stretch my legs. I may not even see him; really, I should search out Lord Herrondell.
“I’ll go out first and make sure Owen is alone. He’s supposed to send away the other guard long enough for you to leave,” Celia explained.
She ran out and I waited a few breathless moments for her signal. It shouldn’t matter if this plan failed; if my aunt returned before we were ready for her, there was no harm. I just wanted a bit of fresh air, is all. I was clutching at the throat of my cloak, watching the shadows outside my tent moving about. One approached, and I feared it would be my aunt.
Celia poked her head inside the tent door. “Come out quick. You only have a few moments.”
I exhaled and slipped out the door after Celia. She spoke with Owen, their heads pressed together. They were a handsome pair, him with his chestnut curls and green eyes, and her with ebony hair and olive skin. Celia saw me over his shoulder and waved me to continue on. I waved at her one last time and scurried behind the tent. I heard a guard hail Owen just as I slipped out of sight. I pressed my back against the edge of the tent, my breathing ragged. On the rise a few hundred yards away, a guard was standing sentinel and two more on either side. They ringed the encampment, and I could not escape even if I wanted.
After the attack at the fishing village, I was soured to the prospect of escape. I stuck to the shadows as I crept along. I nearly ran into a guard, recently off duty and on his way to join his companions around the fire. I stopped fast and swung my arms to keep my balance. I waited as he passed by. He was a Biski man. He had a long black beard with feathers tied in its twin points. He carried an axe swung over his back. Is that what Mathias looks like? Will my husband be some wild savage? I watched him approach a campfire where several other Biski men were sitting and drinking.
I told myself I was looking for Lord Herrondell, but I knew it was a lie. I crouched down in the shadows, my eyes sweeping across a group of men, looking for Mat. Then I locked onto him sitting with his tribesmen. He grinned as he patted a nearby man on the back. They were speaking in their tongue, which had a foreign musical sound to it. I only understood one word in ten. Why did I come here? If he sees me, he might think I’m looking for something more. I considered that image for a moment. It might not be so bad to have him put his arms around me or to feel his lips against my skin. I blushed in the dark just thinking about it. If I lost my virtue and ruined my reputation, would they call off the wedding? I had considered it before but only as a fleeting fancy. Could I really go through with it? My heart raced. I looked down to my feet where a pile of rocks rested. Someone must have cleared them away to put up their tent. I picked up a small one with a good weight that I could throw. I tossed it at Mat and hit him in the back of the head before I could have any second thoughts.
He said something that sounded suspiciously like a curse in his native tongue and rubbed the back of his head. He looked around in the dark for the source of the projectile. His eyes were blinded to the dark by the night fire, and it took him a moment to zoom in on me crouched in the shadows.
One of his companions said something to him. I saw the others reach for their weapons. I half stood, ready to reveal myself before they thought to come looking for a fight. Mat said something to them, and the men laid their weapons aside. He stood up and came over to where I was hiding. I waited for him with my chin jutted.
“Edalene, this is certainly a surprise.”
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Why did I come here? I cannot remember now. He was backlit by the fire, and his features were hidden by the shadows. I saw the outline of his body, his thick arms and large hands, callused and worked. He was nothing like any other man I’d met before; perhaps that’s why I found him so fascinating.
“I never got to thank you for saving me…” I said. It felt like a paltry excuse to sneak out. I’m secretly considering taking you to avoid being forced into a marriage.
He grinned. “You went to an awful lot of trouble to say a few words. As I remember it, you’re meant to stay in your tent.”
I flushed and I hoped he could not see it. What is wrong with me? I am not like this normally, tongue-tied. “I wanted to speak with you alone… in private.” My mouth felt suddenly very dry. Dare I say it; I’d be mortified if he refused.
He leaned forward, and I sucked in my breath. He brushed a curl away from my face and tucked the stray hair behind my ear. I shivered beneath his touch. “I am honored you would take such a risk for someone like me.”
Just say it or you’ll never say it. “It’s not a risk, really. I want you to bed me.”
He stiffened and took a step back. “Are you sure that is wise? As you said, your intended would not like it if you and I…” He made a gesture to indicate the space between us.
I took a step closer to him and tried to grab his hand. I had not the slightest idea what I was doing, but I knew I wanted this, if not to stop my marriage, then to at least make one decision for myself. “I do not care; I want you.” I pressed his hand to my lips and kissed it.
“What if he calls off your engagement? Your king would not be happy.” He moved his hand behind my neck and slid his fingers along the nape of my neck. I shivered all over; there were only a few inches between us.
“So be it. I never wanted Mathias anyway. Maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll call off the engagement.”
“Do you think that all that matters to him is your purity? Or is marrying a Biski man so terrible that you would throw yourself at a stranger?” His voice was cool. He pulled away from me, and I felt a stone sink in my stomach. This was not how I imagined this would play out.
The words tumbled out. “I would not tell him about you. I just—I cannot marry him.” I wrapped my arms around my torso.
He glared at me. He must think I am too wanton. What was I thinking that I could seduce him?
“He already knows what you’ve tried to do.”
“How?” My eyes grew large, and I clamped a hand over my mouth. “No.”
“I know neither of us chose this marriage, but I thought you had more respect than to throw yourself at me like a common prostitute.”
“You’re Mathias?” I shook my head. What have I done?
He nodded stiffly.
“You lied to me!” I shouted. I hit him on the chest. He did not even budge. He was much larger than me, and it took one hand to subdue me.
He shook his head. “I never lied to you; I told you my name was Mat. You assumed I could not be the next leader of the Stone Clan because all you saw when you look at me is a wild savage.”
I could not form a coherent retort. He was right; I had assumed he was some underling. I never would have thought he was my intended. But had I known, would things have gone differently? It did not matter now; I saw the repulsion in his eyes. He dropped my wrist.
“I never asked for this,” I whispered.
“On that count, we both agree.” And without another word he stalked away, leaving me feeling as if I had just had my heart ripped out.
Chapter 8
Late the next a
fternoon, we spotted the first signs of civilization in weeks. Small farms popped up out of the endless grassy hills. They were different than farms I had seen around Keisan, cruder somehow. The rows of crops were disorganized, at times intersecting and sometimes too wide apart. The farmhouses appeared to be made of wood and canvas. Some were dug into the earth with dirt roofs and leaning beams of wood that made the bulk of the structure. There were herds of livestock, sheep by the hundreds, and oxen grazing in paddocks that looked as if they could be easily kicked over.
A few hours after we saw the first farmhouses, we arrived in the town of Reglabal, which was little more than a collection of wooden structures with echoes of Danhadine architecture, tall windows and arches leading into gardens. Mixed in were hints of the Biski people. Doorways were painted with animals and symbols that I could only guess at their meaning. The roofs had been painted bright colors, blue, red, green, and yellow. Ribbons tied along tree branches fluttered in the breeze, and as the wind moved through the village, I could hear the tinkle of bells in the distance. Squeezed between wooden structures were tents of different shapes and sizes. They were painted with the same animals and symbols as the houses. It was as if the once nomadic people had not quite given up on their former lifestyle. Dogs ran around and chickens traveled in groups chased by small children. The streets were dirty and muddy, and children played in the puddles.
In one yard, an occupant had a white goat that bleated as we passed by. The people came out of their homes to watch our procession. They more than anything marked this as a foreign land. Many of them shared the same physical characteristics, nut-brown skin, almond eyes and black hair. The women wore their hair long and loose; a few tied their hair in a myriad of braids with tiny bells at the end. The men favored long beards and hair. Everyone wore long tunics over leggings in vibrant blues, reds, greens, and yellows.
Aunt Idella’s disgust was plain on her face though she would never dare to speak it aloud. I had to admit, I was in love with the chaos. The colors, smells, and sights were so different from Keisan. I imagined I could spend forever listening to the sound of the Biski women singing as they worked or the cry of children at play. This was a different world from Keisan. Get a hold of yourself; this is not a place for you any more than Keisan was. Mathias made that clear; as soon as I can, I must leave. Lord Herrondell rode alongside the other diplomats. He sensed me watching him and smiled. I have to get out before the wedding; I will not marry a man that hates me.
Mathias rode at the head of our column. He waved to the people who came out to greet us. He called out to friends and neighbors, smiling in his easy way. He never turned that smile towards me. I wanted to hate Mathias. He had deceived me. But at least he had tried to get to know me. I had assumed he would be a monster and did not want to marry him; despite that, he was still willing to marry me for the good of his people. It was something to be admired. I refused to burden him that way. No one should be tied to a woman they despised.
At the far end of town sat a dwelling bigger than all the rest. If it had been made of stone, I would have called it a castle. It was long, perhaps five houses’ worth, and it seemed to be just as deep. There was a wooden fence made of sharpened logs that had been driven into the ground. The gates were open, and a group of clansmen came streaming out with a middle-aged man leading the way. They rode the same stocky horses with shaggy coats that Mathias and his men rode.
In the center of the group, the middle-aged man, who I assumed to be Aland, raised a hand to welcome us. His black hair was braided down his back. Slung across his shoulder was an axe. Celia beside me gave a little squeak. We had grown accustomed to our Biski companions, but seeing this man surrounded by other fierce-looking warriors would be intimidating to most people.
“Mind your manners; we don’t want to give offense,” Aunt Idella hissed between her teeth.
Mathias must have heard my aunt because he glanced over his shoulder in my direction. I stared back at him, my expression blank. There was a hint of a smile there, or perhaps I was just hoping there was. He turned back to his father as the procession came to a halt.
Aland came forward. “Welcome, Princess Edalene, to Reglabal.” He waved a hand in the direction of the large building behind him. “I hope your journey was not too difficult.”
“Thank you, Aland of the Stone Clan,” I replied in my halting Biski. “I am pleased to be…” I couldn’t choke out the rest of the words. I was anything but pleased.
He cracked a smile then. “It pleases me to hear you speak my mother tongue, since you will be joining my clan. Have you been teaching her, son?”
He looked over to Mathias. I did not dare look. The truth was before I knew who Mathias was, I had tried learning more of the Biski tongue to impress him. It felt like a childish gesture now.
Mathias gave me one more quick curious glance before shaking his head. “No, I did not have the pleasure.” He seemed completely at ease. There was no hint of the anger I had seen the night before. He appeared for all the world to be pleased with our engagement. “We have gotten to know each other better along our journey, and I look forward to joining our clans in marriage.”
Beside me, Celia’s head swung back and forth between the two of us. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. I had been so upset; I had neglected to tell her. If I was being truthful with myself, it was that I did not want to admit that it was true. A part of me had hoped he had lied about being Mathias. There was no denying it now. This was my future husband—a man that thought me spoiled and selfish.
“You tricked us,” my aunt said to Aland. Her cheekbones were flushed, and her green eyes were focused on Aland, sharp as daggers.
Aland laughed, but it lacked mirth. “There was no deception. My son merely wanted to get to know his bride before the wedding day, is all.”
Mathias had come to stand beside his father, and Aland patted him on the shoulder. When he was standing beside his father, I could see the resemblance. They had the same broad shoulders and square jaw. Is that what Mathias will look like when he is middle aged, when he leads the Biski?
Mathias stared forward, his eyes not meeting mine. He would not look at me.
I would have been better served to hold my tongue, but I could not stop myself from saying, “We should have been told. It was ill done. Had I known my betrothed was with us, I would have put upon a better show for my future husband. I am sorry if I disappointed or lacked in your eyes.”
Mathias turned to look at me, his dark gaze smoldering. “It matters not what pleases me. I am told this is the way of your culture, to marry without affection.”
I sat up a bit straighter in the saddle. “Yes, it is, but it is rare to have to marry someone you despise.” I kicked my heels into the sides of my mount and rode into the courtyard of the castle beyond, not waiting for a response. Celia and Aunt Idella shouted after me, but I ignored them both. My heart felt as if it was being squeezed from my chest. He hated me, but what hurt more was that I cared how he felt.
A feast was held to celebrate our arrival. It was during the chaos of drinking and eating that I managed to slip away to meet with Lord Herrondell. I had found a servant, who spoke hardly any Danhadine, and I gave her a coin to pass the message along to him. After the fishing village, I suspected everyone. Celia danced with Owen, and Aunt Idella was talking politics with Aland while I hurried through the crowd.
I went to the corner of the room. Had I exited, my guards would have followed. As it was, they were trailing after me like my own unwanted shadows. Lord Herrondell sat at a table at the back of the room, which had been abandoned but for a few empty plates and tankards. He rose as I approached.
“Your Highness.” He bowed at the waist. I waved away the formality.
“Lord Herrondell, I am sorry we have not had time to talk more.”
The room was crowded and noisy. It was not the ideal place to have this conversation, but I could think of no better way to make plans without being ove
rheard. The music the Biski musicians played covered most of our conversation, and while Lord Herrondell made no move to harm me physically, my guards were content to hover in the background.
“Please sit, Your Highness.” He motioned for me to sit down on the long bench beside him.
I sat down and glanced once more towards the front of the room where my aunt and Aland were talking. Just down the table from them, Mathias was drinking and laughing with his friends. I tore my gaze away. Why do I torture myself so?
“I waited for you, but you never came,” I said when I turned my attention back to Lord Herrondell. I was not one to mince my words. Besides, time was short. The wedding was only days away.
Lord Herrondell lowered his head. At first I thought it was because he was feeling guilty, but when he motioned for me to come closer, I realized his true intent.
I moved in close. Our heads nearly touched. No one else would hear our conversation, but I was certain anyone watching would find it suspect.
“I must make this quick or the dowager queen will suspect. I never received your message in the village, and I assumed you were not able to escape from your chamber. The ship was diverted when I realized we could not rendezvous. I heard about the attack at the pier. I feel partially responsible for that.”
I bit my lip. “I sent a message with one of the girls that worked at the inn.”
“I feared as much. I believe your enemies bribed the staff at the inn for a chance to kill you.”
My throat felt tight. “Who wants to kill me, do you know?”
He shook his head. “I cannot say with certainty, but I suspect it is someone who does not want this marriage to happen.”
“Then they must be our allies,” I said. “If they knew I did not want to marry Mathias, surely they would be willing to help.”
“No, because while you live, you are a threat. Any son you bear can claim the throne of Danhad. There are some who would rather not take the risk.”
Princess Page 6
