Mountain of Masks

by Jeanne Hardt

  “I do.” Sebastian stood firm and unwavering. “May I speak my mind?”

  “It is your right.”

  Sebastian took Olivia’s hand, then spun to face the crowd. “I cannot argue against the laws of the land. However, I shall do all I can to have them changed.”

  Confusion covered the faces of all present, along with mixed mumbling.

  “My wife …” Sebastian lifted their entwined hands. “Is caring, noble, and intelligent. More so than any other woman I know. No finer queen would reign, and yet, unless I can change the course of our practices, you shall never comprehend what you have forfeited.” He pulled her close. “I do not regret my choice and would do it all over again. Love is far more important to me than purity of blood.”

  “The kingdom of Issa stands behind Sebastian and his union with Princess Olivia!”

  Olivia snapped her head around to see who had spoken. She had heard nothing positive about Issa and its inhabitants and doubted the proclamation would matter. Regardless, it felt slightly uplifting to have some support.

  “Your words have been noted, King Imran,” the priest said.

  “Noted and discounted,” King Callum grumbled. “Issa does not abide by the same governances our God-fearing realms uphold. Love alone cannot rule. Our laws stand. I beseech the priests to see to it that a rightful heir be named.” He pointed at a red-haired man in the front row. “Frederick of Basilia!”

  Cheers once again filled the open air, repeating Frederick’s name over and over.

  King Roland strode onto the platform, glaring at Callum. “No heir shall be named this day! It is my right as high king to see fit when I wish to abdicate.”

  “We want assurance you will name a rightful heir.” Callum narrowed his eyes. “If you do not, Oros will claim the high throne. We are next in line.”

  Shouts of no rang out around them.

  Every sentry grasped the hilts of their swords. Jonah’s eyes shot fire.

  Olivia’s heart thumped hard. This would not end well.

  “Stop!” Frederick leapt onto the dais. “Today is not for fighting. We have gathered to honor the sanctity of our rites.” He cut his eyes at King Roland, then faced the people. “Our king is the greatest in the land. I am proud to call him uncle, and I am honored you see me as one who can stand in his place. But now is not the time.”

  Perhaps Olivia had been wrong about Frederick. Maybe they all had …

  “My cousin,” Frederick continued, “followed his heart and married the woman he loves. He believed she would be accepted as a future queen, and seeing her exceptional quality, I can understand his reasoning. Olivia has stood before you shamelessly, and justifiably so. She did not join with Sebastian to bring grief to our realm, she became his wife out of the same love he bore for her. We cannot condemn love.”

  Thundering applause followed his words.

  Frederick pulled his shoulders back, smiling. “I did not expect this honor, but I will gladly serve every one of you as your king when I am called upon to do so. My uncle has many years to reign, and during that time I will learn from him, so one day, I may capably rule.”

  More applause.

  Olivia grasped hold of Sebastian, whose body had gone rigid. He stared at the ground, breathing hard.

  “My people!” Frederick shouted. “Do not bear ill feelings toward Sebastian and his bride. Honor the love they have for one another and chide them not. Our kingdom will stay strong, and the high throne will remain pure and held by a rightful Basilian!”

  To cheers and more hand clapping, Frederick stepped off the platform and joined his wife, who was visibly with child.

  Sebastian fumed beside Olivia, but said nothing.

  The priest gestured to them. “Stand before me.”

  With a gentle tug, Olivia urged Sebastian in the man’s direction. She had not seen him so defeated since he had expressed concerns over his mother’s approval of their marriage. Those days in Padrida seemed as if they had happened years ago, though only months had passed.

  The priest cleared his throat. “Your union has been confirmed this day before God and all present. Only in death shall this bond be broken!”

  The three other priests joined him and stood by his side. “Only in death,” they muttered in unison.

  Olivia locked eyes with the crazed priest, much to her regret. His brows lifted and he smiled crookedly. “You shall be tested beyond measure,” he droned, followed by a sadistic-sounding chuckle.

  The other priests quickly escorted him from the platform.

  King Callum and the Thanwinian princes followed them, leaving Sebastian and Olivia alone on the dais surrounded by the dutiful sentries.

  Olivia finally managed to look at her mother. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Olivia wanted desperately to run to her and offer comfort, and that time would soon come.

  Olivia had survived the ordeal without shedding a tear or becoming enraged. She could have gone without hearing the prophetic words from the wretched priest, but she would not allow even him to trouble her. Her questionable ancestry was finally out in the open, and Sebastian and she could proceed with their lives.

  Jonah came close, scowling. “None of this is right. Can we not fight it?”

  “Yes,” Sebastian hissed in a whisper. “But not now.”

  Jonah slowly nodded. The matter was not settled by any means, but Olivia could not comprehend how they could possibly change the law.

  She spotted the woman in black talking to Frederick. Though she did not behave quite so forlorn, she still appeared dour. “Who is that woman?”

  “Princess Angeline,” Sebastian said, stone-faced. “I believe she came here to gloat, knowing full well what would transpire.”

  “Dressed in black?”

  “She is in mourning.” Jonah’s blatant sarcasm seemed unwarranted.

  Olivia looked from one man to the other. “You should not be so unfeeling.” She took hold of Sebastian’s arm. “Is it not obvious our union broke her heart?”

  “Perhaps. Yet, do you not feel that wearing a color depicting death is slightly …?” He waved his hand in the air, as if searching for the right word.

  “Ridiculous,” Jonah mumbled.

  “Not exactly …” Sebastian’s nose wrinkled and he squinted his eyes. “But, close enough.” His odd expression was completely unlike him. “The woman perplexes me, Olivia. I never once offered her affection, nor did I pledge myself to her. Of course, Mother may have led Angeline to trust that a commitment was forthcoming.”

  “Well …” Olivia grasped Sebastian tighter. “After today, your mother might wish she had succeeded in manipulating your union with Angeline. However, I am your wife and our marriage cannot be undone.”

  “Thank God,” he whispered and kissed her forehead.

  Though relieved to hear him say it, she prayed Sebastian had no regrets. And as much as she wanted to share the good news of her pregnancy with his parents, she decided it would be best to wait until every king returned to their proper home and the tension created by the proceedings died down.

  Chapter 12

  Olivia gave Sebastian a quick kiss on his lips, then released him and ran to her parents. They encircled her, and all three embraced as one. Tears readily flowed, yet Olivia no longer wanted to hold them in. These were appropriately shed.

  Her father placed his plump hands to the sides of her face. “It was all I could do to keep from running that blasted king through. No man has the right to discredit you.” The concern in his features wrenched her heart.

  “Please, Father. Do not be angry. Did you not teach me long ago that laws must be obeyed?”

  “Bah!” He waved a hand, dismissing her words. “Not when they are unreasonable.”

  “Boden.” Her mother set a hand on his arm. “Let us be glad in our reunion with our daughter. Speak no more of violence.” She cupped Olivia’s cheek. “You made me proud. It had to have been difficult for you to endure their scoffing. And poor Sebastian—I c
ould see he is grieved.” She glanced behind her, where Sebastian stood talking to his father.

  “He is.” Olivia looked cautiously about, making certain she would not be heard. Most everyone had dispersed to the great hall, where a feast had been laid out. “Sebastian’s cousin, Frederick, is said to be wretched. Sebastian fears for his people.”

  Her father’s head drew back. “The young man seemed decent enough to me. He defended you, my dear. Honestly, he was one of the few who spoke whom I did not feel compelled to bloody. Priests included.”

  Her mother smacked his arm. “Shame on you, Boden.”

  “Do not scold me for speaking the truth, Sonya.” He patted his belly. “I miss Padrida. I have not had a good night of sleep nor a pleasant meal since we left. This venture has not proven to be what I expected.”

  King Roland wandered up behind him. “If you are hungry, we have plenty. And I assure you, we have capable cooks.”

  “Yes,” Sebastian added. “I fear you have not received the welcome you deserve. Please, forgive us.” He bowed low to her father.

  “For heaven’s sake, Sebastian. Am I not more to you than a mere guest?” He opened his arms, and Sebastian moved into his embrace. Her father hugged him firmly, then patted his back and released him.

  The sight warmed Olivia to her core.

  Her mother laughed. “That is what I longed to see. After all, when we parted you two were not yet wed. That has changed, and Sebastian has become not only your husband, but our son.” She gave him a hug of her own.

  “Thank you.” A slight blush rose into Sebastian’s cheeks. “I wanted your arrival to be celebrated. It sickens me you had to witness these proceedings. I never wanted to put Olivia through such scrutiny. I had hoped she could win over the kings of the other realms to our way of thinking. However, she was never given the chance. They had decided their course of action prior to the rite.”

  “You are both coping with the outcome far better than I would,” her father said. “How can you contemplate participating in the festivities?” He gestured to the castle. “The laughter coming to my ears reminds me of our yearly crossing celebration. Music and no doubt dancing are involved. Do you honestly wish to join in their gaiety?”

  “I helped plan this celebration,” Olivia said. “Sebastian and I feared the priests might dissolve our union. That did not happen, so we have reason to be joyful.”

  Her father fiddled with his long beard, his brows nearly touching. “At least one king supported you. What is it about Issa that discounts them? Does not every realm have a voice?”

  Olivia linked her arm into his. “Come with us to the great hall. We shall dine and in time, all your questions will be answered. Perhaps you can meet King Imran and all his wives.” She grinned, waiting for her words to sink in.

  “Wives?” Her father rapidly licked his lips. “He has more than one?”

  “Yes. Three. And many children.” Olivia guided him along the pathway to the entrance which led to the great hall.

  Sebastian escorted her mother and followed them, along with King Roland.

  They might not have the opportunity to talk privately for quite a while, but Olivia wanted her parents to get a feeling for the other realms. She, too, had much to learn about them. Most of what she knew had come second hand from Sebastian. And though she believed all he had told her, she wanted to acquaint herself with every royal. Deep in her heart, she felt confident she was no different from any of them.

  Regardless of her blood.

  Oddly, Olivia felt merry. The weight she carried on her shoulders had lifted simply by acknowledging her ancestry.

  She no longer had to pretend to be someone she was not. Her gaiety seemed to have worn off on her mother, who stood just as tall and carried herself like the queen Olivia knew her to be. She had engaged in a lengthy conversation with King Imran and two of his wives. Her mother had even danced with him. His third wife, Udelle had declined the invitation and remained in Issa, expecting their first child any day.

  As for Olivia’s father, he kept himself occupied at the tables of food and in the company of King Roland. A pleasant sight to see. Far better than the two spitting nails at each other.

  “I fear we have not been properly introduced.”

  Olivia turned to face Angeline and found herself forcing a smile that up until now had easily come. “No, we have not. I was told you are Princess Angeline of Thanwine.”

  “Yes.” She looked as if she might cry at any moment. “And you are the fair Olivia. The woman who stole my dear Sebastian’s heart.”

  Olivia felt dreadful for the woman, but had to stand her ground. Angeline needed to know the truth. “One cannot steal something readily given. His heart had previously been claimed by no one.”

  Angeline whimpered. “I heard you are kind, yet your words are harmful. Do you not understand what it feels like to have your heart broken?”

  “Yes, I do.” She studied the woman’s puffy eyes, searching for acceptance. “I am sorry you have suffered. In time you will heal, just as I did. I have no doubt there is a man deserving of your affections. Let your heart lead you.”

  Angeline sniffled. “I thought it had.” She erupted into a sob and rushed away.

  Perplexed by the encounter, Olivia chose not to follow and allow her to grieve.

  Estelle hastened toward her, wide-eyed. “Olivia, I am so sorry. I can tell by your expression, she said something that troubled you. Can you ever forgive me for this day?”

  “Forgive you? It was not you who caused today’s events to unfold.” She cast an encouraging smile, hoping to comfort Sebastian’s sweet sister. “How well do you know Angeline?”

  “Very little. When she came to our kingdom, she spent most of her time with Mother. I saw Angeline at meals, but she said almost nothing at all. She simply giggled and batted her eyes at my brother.”

  “He told me she perplexes him, and I can understand why. Her behavior is that of a young girl, not a woman in her twenties.”

  “Did something happen?” Delana popped her head between them—an act she had proved to be proficient at.

  “Delana.” Estelle scolded with her eyes. “Should you not be in bed?”

  “Father told me I can stay up later than usual. Only Catrice was made to leave.” Delana puffed up tall. “I am viewed more as a grownup every day.” She leaned close. “I even had some wine.”

  “You are but ten!” Estelle fisted her hands on her hips. “Who gave you the beverage?”

  “Princess Angeline.” Delana pointed across the room.

  Olivia looked in that direction, only to find Angeline sipping from her own goblet, while intermittently dabbing at her tears.

  Estelle took hold of Delana by her shoulders. “You are much too young to drink wine. You should have refused it. Do you understand what I am saying?”

  “Yes.” Delana kicked at the floor. “But … Angeline was simply being kind to me. When she used to visit, before Olivia and Sebastian married, she would bring me presents. Lovely silks from artisans in Thanwine.”

  “Only because she wanted to find favor with our brother.” Estelle released Delana, then bent down to her level. “It is hard to understand, when you are so young. But the very fact she gave you wine proves she is not thinking clearly.”

  “I feel sorry for her,” Delana whispered. “At her age, her prospects of wedding a prince is fleeting.”

  When they looked Angeline’s way again, she was no longer alone. She stood beside young Prince Tesher of Oros, far too close to be appropriate. Her tears had vanished, and she had set aside her kerchief. Even more improperly, she casually moved her hand up and down his arm.

  Olivia gaped at the sight. An odd way for a woman in mourning to behave.

  Tesher cradled a goblet of wine that trembled in his grasp. He could easily spill it at any moment.

  “Hmm,” Delana said. “She must be doling out wine to everyone.” She craned her neck and scanned the crowd. “Where is Allana? Sh
e will not be pleased to know Angeline has her hands on Tesher.”

  Estelle fumed. “Excuse me, Olivia. I must find Eural. We cannot allow this.” She hurried away as quickly as she had arrived.

  “Fifteen is not that young,” Delana said, crossing her arms. “Wine should not be an issue for a boy of his age.”

  “I fear it is not the wine troubling Estelle. I believe you may have been correct about Angeline. She wants a prince, and it would seem she desires Tesher.”

  Considering Angeline’s youthful behavior, it could be a proper match. And it would certainly make Jonah’s life less complicated if Tesher claimed Angeline, so Allana would be free to pursue.

  Laughter grew in volume and filled the great hall. It pleased Olivia to see people enjoying themselves, but she felt slightly guilty for her own happiness. Whenever she caught Sebastian’s gaze, he looked miserable.

  She could not fault him for his pain. He had taken her as his wife, and fortunately, their union would not be dissolved, but in exchange, he had lost everything he had spent his life training to become.

  His mother had vanished soon after the festivities had started. His father remained, but looked just as dour as Sebastian—even in the company of her father.

  They might not speak it, but Olivia knew King Roland and Queen Helen blamed her for Sebastian’s misery.

  She shifted her eyes to Angeline, who continued a silent seduction of the young prince. Bewildering to say the least. It quite possibly made Angeline feel better about herself by finding favor in Tesher’s eyes.

  At least the woman had stopped shedding tears. That alone eased Olivia’s heart.

  If Olivia looked her way one more time, Angeline swore she would charge the woman and gouge her eyes from her head. Her sugary sweet sympathy made Angeline want to retch.

  She put her back to her and focused on the handsome young prince. “Be careful, Tesher. You do not want to spill your drink on your fine clothes.” She glided her hand all the way down his trembling arm, then ran her fingers over his and took the cup from him. “Shall I get you more?”