by Andrea Boyd
“Sure, Dunbar.” My heart filled with dread, but I allowed him to lead me a little way down the hall. He stopped within sight of those going into the meeting. After his earlier reaction, I do not believe I would have allowed him to lead me into a more private setting.
He barely touched my arm as he spoke. I had no doubt that he could sense my unease. “I just wanted to apologize for this morning, not for the proposal, because I am still hoping you will change your mind, but for getting angry when you turned me down. I had no right. I can only say that I will try even harder in the future to win you over.”
“I accept your apology.” He seemed to be waiting, hoping I would say something more. I suppose he wanted encouragement in his endeavor to win me over. Did he really think this would make me change my mind? I had said all I meant to on the subject that morning, and I had no intentions of adding anything.
“I do need to get in to the dining hall.”
“Yes, of course. Hopefully I will see you later today.” He had made it sound like more of a question than a statement. I did not want to encourage him in any way, so I decided to move on to a new subject.
“Are you not attending the meeting?”
“No. Father said it was unnecessary, and I would rather not anyway.” I was surprised to find that he was not attending considering that he was being prepped to rule this kingdom. Maybe Coman felt he needed time to get over being rejected, but I knew his father had not given up on his plans so easily.
“Oh, well, I will see you some other time then.” I curtsied and quickly headed inside into the already crowded room, putting this conversation behind me. At least I would not have to worry about any awkwardness caused by my rejection of his proposal or his reaction whenever we met again.
For the Session meetings the dais and head table were reassembled to the center of the room where the three rulers, their council, and scribes would sit. There would be a mediator sitting at one end of the table as well. If a stalemate went on for too long, the mediator would motion for the matter to be benched until the next Session. Anyone could sit in on the proceedings if they could find a space. After the head table was seated, the rest of nobility and common folk alike scrambled to find a place.
Even though kings and queens were considered to have equal rule in Kearnley, the other two queens were never present at these meetings. Finelle preferred to let Coman rule, and Babree came from a land where women were subservient. I did not believe she had a desire for it to be any different now, even after all of her years of living in this free country.
I took the place that had been saved for me next to Eamon which just happened to be right across from Coman. He was staring right at me with his eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together in anger. I could just imagine all he would like to say to me about my refusal of his eldest son. I thought it best to ignore the hateful, calculated look he was giving me, so I allowed my gaze to wonder around the room. I did not even realize what I was searching for until I saw Garrett.
He looked as he had the night before except for a large bruise and a little swelling on his left cheek. How had that happened? I tried to discreetly search the room for Reagan. I did not even know why it was important, or what made me wonder if he was in the same shape as Garrett. Did their father have something to do with this? Had they fought each other, or was it something else and my mind had gotten carried away?
I tried to focus once the meeting started, but my gaze kept going back toward Garrett’s face. At first it was concern that had me looking there, but it moved on to curiosity over the fact that his focus seemed to be centered solely on me. He smiled in a way that felt intimate even in the overly crowded room. It caused the now familiar fluttering in the pit of my stomach whenever he looked my way. I could not help but smile back at him. I thought over every moment we had shared together in the last couple of days. He was sweet, intelligent, somewhat shy, and good looking. All attributes that I was coming to appreciate.
I forced my mind back to the task at hand. King Farris was discussing something with one of King Coman’s advisors about the border between their lands, but it had nothing to do with me. If I missed anything important one of my advisors was sure to catch it. Everything concerning Aisling would be rehashed in private meetings once we arrived back home anyway.
I glanced back across the table at King Coman who was glaring intensely at me. My flirting with Garrett had probably added to his anger. I returned his stare for a while as my fingers drummed the table in front of me. I would not be intimidated. Several of those around us were sending nervous glances my way.
“King Coman, you now have the floor.” King Farris must have finished, and I had missed everything he had to say. Now the mediator was giving Coman his turn.
Coman glanced around the room before looking back at me. “I would like to point out that Queen Brianna will be turning eighteen before the next Session meeting, and she is still unmarried. Let it be known that unless she marries my son before that time, I will be challenging her position as queen.”
A collective gasp sounded around the room, and then the whispering started. Coman had everyone’s attention now. The mediator was the one who responded. “There is nothing in the law that states that the queen must marry your son, Your Highness.”
Coman knew this. Surely his announcement was just a ploy designed to put more pressure on me. “And who else would she marry in such a short time? It is obvious that her best choice would be a prince, and one has already come forward to ask for her hand in marriage.” He may have been speaking to the mediator, but his eyes had never left mine.
He was wrong if he thought I would back down from his challenge. “Whoever I choose is no concern of yours.”
“You have led Dunbar to believe he would be the next king of Aisling, and now, with the deadline just months away, you decide to turn cold on him. You need to quit playing around, and marry my son. Do you not care that your kingdom is at stake?”
I had been warned that King Coman would be very public in his opinion, but I could not believe he was attacking me in such a personal manner in front of everyone here. I had to admit it was more than a little daunting to look out at the sea of disapproving faces. It was surprising just how many of them seemed to be in agreement with Coman, and some of these were my own people. I was positive he had hoped this would be the case.
My gaze joined with Garrett’s once again, and an unexplainable peace came over me.
I looked back at his father. “I agree that it is time for me to marry.”
Everyone stopped whispering at once. “And as you say, a prince would be a most suitable match for me. After much thought on the matter I have decided to take your son, Prince Garrett, as my husband. That is, if he will have me.”
The whole room erupted, some with cheers and some with frantic murmurings. King Coman stood up from his seat. The color had drained from his face and his mouth dropped opened in obvious shock.
I refocused on Garrett, awaiting his answer. The look I gave him at this point was hopefully one of respect. Here he was caught up in this farce at no fault of his own. I wanted him to know that my offer was genuine even if I did expect him to turn me down. He shifted his eyes away from me to look at his father. I did feel sorry for him and very guilty for putting him on the spot, but I was careful to allow none of it to show on my face.
The room was still in chaos, but at some point I began to hear his father’s protest. “No! This will not happen. I forbid the two of you to marry. Garrett is not the one for you. I will not allow him to become king of Aisling. I forbid it.” I looked back toward Coman as soon as it started to register with me just what he was saying.
I stood and slowly leaned across the table, and the room grew eerily quiet again. “I do not understand the problem. It was your opinion that I should marry. It was your desire that I should marry your son. Garrett is your son. Why are you now forbidding this union?”
“I meant Dunbar. Of course I was referrin
g to Dunbar when I said you should marry my son. He is ready to be king, but not Garrett.”
It would not be fair for me to say what I really thought of Dunbar in front of his father, not to mention everyone else. After all, he was just a pawn in Coman’s game. “Dunbar will be king one day. He is heir to your throne, but he is not my choice. One thing you can know for certain, I will never marry Dunbar.”
“Well, what about Reagan? He is a couple of years older than Garrett, and he would make an excellent King. Garrett is nothing compared to my first two. Trust me, you do not want him for a husband.”
There was not so much as a whisper to be heard. No one wanted to miss one little bit of this spectacle. What was so wrong with Garrett? How could he lower his own son so in front of all these people?
I could tell by the expression on Coman’s face the exact moment when he suddenly remembered that we were not alone in this conversation. He sat back down and so did I. He reached across the table and touched my hand. “Brianna, Your Highness, maybe we should discuss this later, in private.”
I slipped my hand from beneath his and placed it in my lap. “There is nothing to discuss. My offer was to Garrett, and it is up to him whether he chooses to accept or decline.”
Ten
Garrett
I HAD BEEN in love with Brianna Reaner for as long as I could remember. I had wanted her to choose me.
But not like this.
I remembered when I first started to realize that I felt something for Brianna that was above what I felt for everyone else. It used to be that all of the royal children were expected to be together during Session, whether we liked each other or not. We ate together, played together, and were made to dance with each other at the children’s ball while the adults looked on with smiles on their faces. I remember swaying around with her on the ballroom floor in the awkward way that children do. She was looking down at my chest with a shy blush across her cheeks which gave me the opportunity to look at her face, and I remembered thinking she was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.
Then her mother died. Everyone in the country had gone to Aisling to pay their respects. I could see her grief, and my heart wrenched for her. It was then that I knew I was in love with her and had been all along. I made the mistake of telling Reagan that I was going to marry her someday, and he told everyone else. From that day on, it became common knowledge in my family that Brianna was intended for Dunbar. That was when Father had put a stop to my attending Session.
My feelings for her had never diminished. I would dream up ways for us to be together. My fear of what Father might do to me along with fear of her rejection had kept me from acting. His aggression toward me had gotten stronger with each passing year, and she had never done anything to indicate that she had any feelings for me.
It was easier to stay away as I got older. To be in her presence and not acknowledge my feelings for her would have been pure torture. Turning eighteen had changed my way of thinking. I was a man now, and a man would not give in so easily. Father had less sway over me than ever before. The time for her to choose a husband was drawing closer. This was to be my last opportunity.
I had only meant to show myself. I had wanted to be in her company one last time while there was just a chance that she might notice me. Every minute that I had spent with her these last few days had caused my heart to soar with the possibilities. I had zero confidence in my abilities in dealing with women. This had always been my biggest hindrance. Twice in as many days I had gotten up the nerve to ask for some time apart with just the two of us. Both times I had been intercepted thanks to my father. If only I had been a little bolder in my pursuit, I might not have been in this predicament.
When I learned she had rejected Dunbar’s offer that morning, my decision was set. I would win Brianna’s heart. I would conquer my shyness and let her know without a doubt how I felt about her. I had planned to let my intentions be made known to her this very afternoon after the meeting. I would have started sooner, but my father had interrupted those plans when he heard that Brianna had crushed his dreams. Of course, he blamed me after what had happened at the ball last night. It was worth the beating I received.
My staring at her all through the meeting had only added to Father’s anger, but I could not have turned away if I tried. The looks she had been sending back my way had only caused my hopes to rise higher. My dream was that when the time was right, she would accept my proposal. Not because she had to, but because by then her love for me would equal the love I felt for her.
Even though it was unusual, I had known there was the possibility that she could ask me first. I knew her situation after all. But I never would have expected it here, at this public gathering. I had pictured a more intimate setting with just me and her. I had hoped her decision to marry me would have involved more forethought and planning.
When my father started protesting, it reminded me of one of the benefits of marrying the queen. It would put me on equal standing with him. Maybe I could counter some of his vile ways and do some actual good for our country. The people of Kearnley had no idea of the strings the king of Gilvary had been pulling behind the scenes. For that matter, I was sure I did not know half and was only guessing at the rest. One thing was certain, if anyone was unsure about how he felt about his middle child, they were finding out now.
What about Reagan?
Doubt clouded my mind. If he had been standing here instead of me, would he be the one now debating her proposal? Reagan had told me that he was not interested in becoming king, but I know my brother. If Brianna had asked him in this way, he would have already said yes, and everyone but Father would be celebrating by now. I believe he told the truth about his lack of interest, but Reagan was nothing if not diplomatic. His philosophy was to roll with whatever life handed him.
I had to admire Brianna for standing her ground with my father. Her back was against the wall, but she was still standing strong. My offer was to Garrett, and it is up to him whether he chooses to accept or decline. My decision had been made long ago, so why was I still standing here in silence?
“I will do it.” I was not sure if she could hear me, so I raised my voice. “I said I will do it. I accept your proposal of marriage.”
All color drained from her face. I realized with disappointment by her shocked expression that she had hoped or at least suspected that I would have turned her down. We would be married, and I would make the best of it. I would do whatever it took to eventually win her love.
Eleven
Brianna
I WAS BOTH shocked and relieved. The shock was because I had expected him to say no. I was relieved because now all of the pressure was gone. I had found my king, and the law would be fulfilled, thus securing my kingdom.
The silence lasted for one more moment before applause and cheering filled the room once again. When I woke up this morning, I never envisioned my day ending up like this. I knew there was always the possibility, but before today I had not known that I would choose Garrett. Coman Barnali was going to be my father-in-law after all, just not in the way he had planned.
The meeting became more of a celebration after that with lots of smiles, congratulations, and tipping of wine goblets. Even Coman had plastered on his fake smile to go along with the calculated look in his eyes that I still did not trust. After informing my council that they could finish with what was left of the meeting, I headed for the door as soon as was reasonable, hoping to escape to my chambers.
Garrett was by my side in no time, boldly taking my hand in his and leading me away from the dining hall. It was a sign that things had already changed between us. I had walked with my hand resting in the crook of his arm before, as was proper. Hand holding was a more intimate gesture that brought heat rising from our joined hands and radiating through my chest despite the fact that my stomach was twisted in knots.
I tried to sort through the wild gamut of emotions that I was experiencing at this very moment. There was sha
me for the method of my proposal. What choice had I left Garrett but to accept? How could I even clear my conscience with an apology without making him feel as if I did not really want him for a husband?
Did I really want him for a husband? I remembered the feelings just his smile had been causing for the last four days. Yes, I believe even now that I had already subconsciously chosen him before the words ever left my mouth. I glanced up at his face as we were making our way down the hallway, and he was still smiling. Hopefully this was a good sign.
I was nervous. I did not really know Garrett. Coman’s words regarding his son kept playing through my mind no matter how I tried to push them away. Was there something lurking behind those beautiful green eyes and shy smile that would bring harm to me or my kingdom? I did not look at him this time, but the image of those bruises was still there.
Coman’s words had caused another emotion as well. My heart ached at the thought of how it must have felt for Garrett to hear what his father had to say about him. I had never known anything but love from my own father. I could not wrap my thoughts around this parent’s lack of affection toward his own child. I knew Coman to be a hard man, but what could have happened to cause him to feel this way about his own son?
I tried to discard each emotion as I sorted through them, but there was one I wanted to savor. I was excited beyond my own belief. With this decision behind me, I was already anticipating what the future would hold. I was going to be married. Unless he changed his mind. He could change his mind. I would give him the opportunity to back out, but I really hoped he would not. I tried not to dwell on that possibility.
We had a lot to discuss but not out in the hallway where we could be observed or overheard. Maybe we could plan to see each other later. It could be my first real date with a boy. I looked out from my own deep thoughts to notice that we did not seem to be heading in the right direction. “Where are we going?”
