My stomach kept retching, and I stayed hunched over in the sand. Lil kept her arm around me, and Faric and Riven stepped up to speak with the guards. “Back off. We’re here to see our father,” ordered Faric as he approached the guards fearlessly.
The shorter, spindly guard, smarted, “And who is your father, boy?”
“Martus,” he replied. He didn’t need to explain further. All spears were lowered immediately, and the guards backed a few feet away. They resumed their task of unloading our boat, and Matthias ran back to me with a wet rag. Lil put it on the back of my neck and whispered, “It’s going to be okay, Lars. At least their daddy is somebody. Doesn’t look like we’ll be spending our vacation in the dungeon.” She laughed.
I nodded and tried to smile before heaving again.
Faric, Riven, and Matthias were ushered to the left down a long white hallway. Lil and I were taken to the right. We were to be bathed, clothed, and made ready to meet Martus, the leader of the seafarers and father of our traveling companions, the twins Faric and Riven. I let Lil have the first bath, still recovering from the horrible stomach pain. One of the female servants brought a drink she claimed would calm my stomach and ease any residual pain from the seasickness. She said it would also fight the dehydration it had caused within my body.
It was opaque and bitter but instantly soothing to my body. My stomach immediately stopped retching. My mouth felt moister, and I could finally relax my abdominal muscles, which had been clenched tight for hours. I bathed after Lil was finished. The ladies intricately braided the hair around our faces, leaving the rest to trickle down our backs. Lil’s blonde hair was still quite long. It rested just above her bottom. She’d cut it, but it was still quite long. I hated that she was involved in this mess, but I loved having her beside me. I was selfish in that respect.
We were placed in similar dresses. Long, gauzy, and sleeveless and fitted in all the right places. Lil’s was white threaded with gold, while mine was a deep turquoise color. Gold bangles and earrings provided our finishing touches, along with shimmering makeup. When we were deemed ready, we were led to a large patio overlooking the ocean. Beautiful white linen curtains flowed out the open doors behind us. Candles and torches lined the patio. Their flames flickered and struggled against the light warm breeze. Soon, we were joined by Faric and Matthias. They both wore tan pants and white linen shirts. They were clean and smelled like ocean, masculinity and something I couldn’t place. Undoubtedly the same scent they had used on our skin.
I grew nervous and butterflies took flight, brushing the walls of my stomach with their wings. I didn’t know what Martus would expect from me. I would request that Rebekah be released to Faric and that he be allowed to marry her immediately. Faric’s eyes met mine. I could see the storm in his eyes and expression.
His dark hair was much longer than Riven’s now and skirted his eyes. I gave him a look to indicate that it would all be okay soon, and that I would not forget the favor that I owed him. He nodded slightly, acknowledging my silent message.
Riven stepped out of the billowing curtains, wearing the same outfit as the other two. His hair had been cut short again. He looked the same as he did the introduction. He’d shaven, and his skin was tan. His hands were in his pockets as he strolled toward us. When his eyes met mine, his expression hardened. I guess I shouldn’t have been ogling him, but he just looked so much like the first time I saw him. It was hard to look away, but I didn’t think I deserved such a hard reaction from him.
Lil gabbed about how beautiful it was here. I think she was content to stay here forever just based on the palace and our extravagant treatment. I wasn’t convinced. My palms started to sweat as I saw some guards walking in our direction. The three approached in their stark-white attire, metal spears pointed toward the sky. The middle guard announced that we would be dining with Martus in the main dining hall and asked that we follow him. Turning on his heel, the other two guards parted and allowed Matthias, Faric, and Lillian to pass between them.
I hesitated for a moment until Riven placed his hand on the small of my back, jerking me back to reality. I looked up at him, and then we moved through the guards together. They followed behind us, which made me nervous. Becoming a kebob was not on my to-do list.
Riven and I caught up with the others, leaving the guards a few paces behind. He leaned into my ear and said, “Look, my father is not a good man. I’ll try to do all that I can to ensure your safety, but you have to trust me. Just go along with anything I say. Advise Lillian to do the same. I’ll tell Faric and Matthias.” I nodded and kept walking, trying to straighten my shoulders.
Riven strolled up and whispered to the guys while I talked to Lil. Her eyes widened, and I could see fear and confusion in her face. Her elfin ears were red, which meant she was nervous. Next, she would bite her nails. We approached a set of white double doors that emptied into a large room.
The room had the same open feel as the patio. Doors were open all around the room, allowing the wind to blow the beautiful delicate white fabric lightly toward us. Candles cast a soft light across the space. At the head of a rectangular table sat a gentleman with the same dark brown hair as Faric and Riven. Gray dotted the hair at his temples. His skin was tan, and he was much younger than I’d imagined. He had to be in his early forties. To say he was handsome would be an understatement.
His confident smile was welcoming, but his eyes were steely blue and cold. His gaze meticulously traveled over my companions, pausing on each of his sons until they finally landed on my own. He stared at me for an uncomfortable amount of time. I shifted and looked away, trying to keep my eyes trained on Matthias who was seated across from me. Lil was to my left and Riven to my right. Faric was across from Riven, the two boys flanking their father. He sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of him.
Two women brought pitchers of water and casks of white wine, filling our glasses with grace and speed. Baskets of bread and fruit arrived, followed by boiled lobster, and seared fish cooked to perfection. I would have enjoyed my meal much more had Martus not stared at me for most of it. Had he never seen a woman eat before, or did he think I would consume food differently because of my chosen status? I focused my dinner, Matthias’s warm eyes, Lil’s hand squeezing my own under the white tablecloth, the flickering candlelight, the servers, anything to try to avoid his gaze, which bored holes into my soul by the minute.
“I see you’ve been well, my sons,” he boomed in a deep voice.
I jumped. No one had spoken until then, and I’d been so focused on everything but him that I hadn’t expected him to speak. “You have grown into fine young men, I see. Welcome home.” He raised his glass of wine as did we, each sipping in honor of the twins.
“Thank you, Father,” said Faric. Riven nodded toward his father, silent.
“Solara, I trust that you are feeling better. I was told of your seasickness. Has it subsided?” He stared at me, unblinking, which was freaky and unnatural. I cleared my throat. “Yes, sir. I feel much better. Thank you.”
He smiled, but it did not reach his metallic blue gaze. He was studying me intently.
I rubbed my palms down my gown in an effort to dry them. Riven reached under the table and grabbed my hand, steadying me. I squeezed my thanks.
“It is obvious that you are the chosen, Solara. I should like to be given the opportunity to see your mark.” He smiled, and it made my skin crawl. He looked me up and down. “You are quite a rare beauty,” he added.
Yuck. Was he really this gross? He was old enough to be my father. Not to mention the fact that he was the father of my friends. Inappropriate much? I felt Riven’s hand tighten against mine. He sat up straighter and glared openly at his father.
“I will be happy to let you examine the mark once you release Rebekah into Faric’s care and marry them immediately. Show me that you are a man of your word, sir, and I will give you the opportunity to decipher the mark.” I stared at him.
Martus shif
ted in his seat. I could see the fire in his eyes as he gritted out, “So it shall be, Solara.” He glanced at Faric and then back to me.
He motioned to one of the guards and whispered in his ear. The guard departed immediately. “Rebekah has remained under my care. She is chaste. Pure—as per our agreement, Faric. She will be immediately placed in your care, and you will be wed tomorrow evening. We shall have a great wedding banquet to celebrate your union. Will this please you, Solara?” He sipped his wine, keeping his eyes trained on me.
“Once they are wed, you will have fulfilled your end of the bargain, and I will fulfill mine,” I said. My hands began to shake.
He smirked and traced his gaze over my body once more. Riven looked over at me. I couldn’t read his expression, but he squeezed my hand and said, “Father, do you know of Solara’s recent interactions with the kingdom?”
Martus sat up and leaned his elbows onto the table, intertwining his fingers and placing them under his stubbled chin. “No, son. Please enlighten me.”
Riven looked at his father and began, “She was married to an instructor named Wesley before escaping from the kingdom but not before catching the eye of Altair.”
“Altair? Altair...the councilman’s son?” he said, cocking his head to the side.
“Yes, the same. He was quite brutal with her in his attempts to gain her hand for himself. Once she escaped, he seized her friends, governess, and husband. She returned in exchange for their release. He released all but Wesley.” He squeezed my hand and glanced at me. “He killed Wesley in the court in front of Solara and a room full of witnesses.”
Martus tented his fingers. “How is it that Altair has gained such power?”
“He singlehandedly slaughtered all but a few of the councilmen and has taken control of the kingdom. His rule is now absolute.
He must be fully aware that she has escaped again. He may come looking for her. Will she have the protection of the seafarers?” Riven stared at Martus, awaiting his answer.
“Of course.” He didn’t hesitate. “Solara, you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you’d like. I’m sure I can make you quite comfortable.” He quirked a brow and gave me an icily sexy smile. It made me cringe.
“Father, there is one more thing you should know about Solara.” Riven offered.
“And what is that, son?” Riven glanced at me and squeezed my hand. The others trained their eyes on us.
He cleared his throat and released his hand, moving it to my upper back, where he began to rub circles into my skin. My flesh warmed and tingled at his delicate touch. “Solara and I were married recently while we were guests of the settlement. We have been united for eternity.” He smiled at his father proudly, and I glanced at him and followed his lead, smiling sweetly and looked at Riven like a good little wife should. Martus stared intently at Riven and through gritted teeth said, “Well, congratulations, Son.”
“Thank you, Father.” Matthias and Faric grinned at us, and Lil smiled wide eyed at me and slapped my leg under the table. She knew it was a lie. Right?
Desserts arrived in the form of chocolate-covered fruits, luscious vanilla cakes and jam-filled pastries. It was eerily silent after Riven’s unexpected announcement. There was a commotion in the hall, and Riven took the opportunity to lean in to my ear and said, “We need to make him believe it. He’s a danger to you, Lara.” I nodded and smiled.
The guards arrived, escorting a beautiful young woman with long blonde silky straight hair and pale skin. Her eyes were warm and brown. Her purple gown flowed gracefully from her hips, and she looked around the table until her eyes hooked Faric. She knew him from Riven immediately and intimately. Rebekah. She was released and immediately ran to him. He stood as she ran, and they collided. They hugged and kissed one another passionately. Their hands searched each other in disbelief. Both released tears, and I felt a warm streak slide down my own cheek at the sight of the reunited lovers.
“Please, Father, may we be excused,” choked Faric. His father nodded his consent, and Faric grabbed Rebekah’s hand and quickly ushered her from the room.
I quickly finished my wine, savoring its dryness on my lips. My glass had barely been empty for a moment before it was poured full again by a thin young server girl, whose eyes refused to meet mine. This entire evening had been too much for me to take in. I was exhausted. Probably not the best idea for me to drink wine after heaving much of the trip here, but it was delicious and paired so well with the food that I couldn’t refuse. After everyone finished dessert, we were all excused to rest for the night.
Martus called over his servants and began to detail preparations for tomorrow’s wedding banquet. We hurriedly returned to our rooms, escorted by the same spear-wielding guards that we couldn’t seem to shake. Welcome? I certainly felt more like a pampered prisoner than a guest.
A knock sounded at my bedroom door shortly after I entered.
I cracked it open to see Riven, holding two bags. “Can I come in?” he whispered. I opened the door all the way, allowing him room to enter. He put his bags on a white wooden table and dragged his hand through his hair, looked up at me, and blew out a huge breath.
“Here to explain?”
“Sort of,” he said. “Look, Father looked like he wanted to have you for dessert, so I had to step in. He’s a notorious womanizer and would have harassed you incessantly if he thought you unmarried. In fact, it may only deter him slightly. He’s arrogant and doesn’t take no for an answer very often. If he sees something he likes, he goes after it with abandon.”
“So I guess I should thank you.” I shifted my feet and crossed my arms.
“Yeah, okay. Remember how I said we need to make it look real?”
“Yes.”
“I need to sleep with you, I mean in the same room as you, so that it looks like we are actually married. We can’t have separate rooms,” he said.
“Okay.”
“And we’ll have to be affectionate in public, at least, so that my father doesn’t suspect anything. He’s very openly affectionate with his women and will expect the same from his sons.” He cleared his throat and looked down.
“Okaaay.” I didn’t know what he had in mind exactly, but I could play the role. It wouldn’t be that hard. Riven was extremely attractive. “What if Athena finds out? She already hates me. And, I need to talk to Lil about everything that happened.” I didn’t really care about Athena or how she felt about me. The feeling was more than mutual, but I needed to know where he stood with her even though we were only pretending. A grand charade to fool his father. But I did care about Lil. Hurting her was the last thing I’d ever wanted to do.
He looked at me and said, “I’ve already spoken with Lillian. She understands everything and agrees that, though perhaps we could have come up with a better plan, we did what was necessary to protect you. She loves you.” He was silent for another moment.
“I’m not with Athena, Lara.”
“It sure looked like it. I just don’t want to cause any problems for you.”
“I know what it looked like. She wants more. She always has. I don’t. End of story.”
“Then why do you let her touch you so intimately? Not that I care, I just...I don’t understand,” I backpedaled.
“I don’t know. I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn’t. It just seems easier than the alternative. I...look, can you just trust me that she means nothing to me? We aren’t together and never will be. Should she catch wind of this, I will explain the situation and try to keep her away from you, okay?”
I nodded. I looked around the room. There was a large rug on the wooden floor—the same white curtains billowed in the warm night breeze from the small patio outside. A wooden canopy bed was draped with silky white fabric that matched the comforter and pillows. There was a small room to the side with a basin and essentials. Where would he sleep? Where would I sleep? My palms started to sweat.
“Well, I need to get ready for bed, so if you’ll give me a few minutes,
then you can have the basin room.” He agreed and shuffled through his bag. I grabbed the leather satchel I’d brought from Ruth’s and headed to the side room. Rummaging through my bag, I looked for something modest to wear and pulled out my hairbrush and mint leaves. It turns out that the small room had several dresses in it that appeared to be my size. I chose a light blue floor-length, long-sleeved cotton dress. I tended to get chilled at night, even in the summer, and it would cover my body modestly. I decided to leave my hair braided but brushed the portions that were free. I chewed some mint and washed the glimmering makeup from my face, wiping it off with a towel. Stepping out of the room, Riven looked me over and then looked quickly away, clearing his throat. He was uncomfortable.
Well, that made two of us. He entered the small room, carrying one of his bags and closed the door. I poured a glass of water and put it on the small wooden table beside the bed. I took the side closest to the ocean. I could feel the salty warm breeze and hear the waves. They sounded so serene. If I were alone, I would no doubt sleep soundly, lulled by the ocean and soft wind, but I had company. My fake husband had to sleep in my room. I’d actually looked forward to having my own room. Privacy had always been important to me. So much for that.
Riven exited the room, wearing a soft-looking pair of tan shorts. He was shirtless. Oh my goodness. Was he ever! He was a chiseled piece of marble flesh. I had to remind myself not to drool. Then I felt very ashamed. I remembered Wes, and how I’d thought similarly about his body after walking in on him playing the cello. My heart sank. Riven put his bag on the table and sat down on the rug in the floor. “Throw me a pillow?” he asked and held his hands out to catch it.
“No,” I said. “You can sleep up here. Just stay on your side and keep your hands to yourself. We both need a good night’s sleep.”
Pariah (The New Covenant Series) Page 22
