by Ella Ardent
Forest. People moved easily through the forest, as easily as the deer and other wildlife. I was not even certain exactly where the border with Miletas was. It was easily found when one journeyed by road, but when walking through the forest, there was no clear indication of when one left Euphoria and entered Miletas.
In the past, as a young man in the forest, I’d thought little of this. Now, as heir to the throne, I saw it as a liability.
A weakness.
“Euphoria is not without its charms, but it isn’t an affluent kingdom,” Balthazar said. “It has no mines, no treasures, no assets or foodstuffs that are not readily found elsewhere. It is not engaged in politics beyond its borders or involved in shaping the future. There are those who would insist Euphoria has no right to a say in greater matters, that it is a backwater that can be ignored. Its king is seldom consulted in matters of state beyond its borders. It has been left to its own devices.”
I listened, hearing what he said and what he did not say. “But that may change.”
“It has changed,” Balthazar agreed easily. “Miletas and Imperium muster for war, and Euphoria, it turns out, holds one asset after all.”
“Which is?”
His gaze met mine. “Its location.”
I considered his map. “We will be allied with Lothair and Miletas by blood.”
“Which will move the border of Miletas effectively to here.” Balthazar indicated the line that represented the river. “They will send troops to reinforce yours in the defense of the river.”
I wondered if this had already been done, or was in progress. Should I ask the king? Would he tell me?
Balthazar continued. “The Emperor will not tolerate this, and so he would prefer to claim Euphoria as part of his empire.”
I glanced to the palace, suddenly understanding a matter that had been a mystery to me. “And so his daughter has been sent to build an alliance by marriage. The Emperor would have me compelled to choose between my sister and my wife.”
“Surely it is a choice between war and peace?”
I didn’t know. I’d never thought of such matters before. Could it truly be my responsibility to ensure that war didn’t come to peaceful Euphoria? I’d thought of the privilege of authority, thanks to my father’s tutelage, but not the responsibility that came with it. I looked over the stables and the bailey. I considered the number of knights in my father’s household and it seemed to me that they were too few. I also doubted their alliance, given that they were not from Euphoria originally. They might be paid to serve in the kingdom’s defense, but a man who defended his home had to be one who would fight longer and harder. I doubted my father had the power to halt an attack of force, particularly not one from a regime as powerful as Imperium.
Would wedding Lascivia solve the issue? Or would it simply set Euphoria on a path toward its own disappearance?
What did my father think of all of this?
“I believe I have given you sufficient to think about for one day,” Balthazar said and I shook his hand.
“Indeed.” I thanked him for his instruction and returned to my chamber, determined to learn more of all these matters.
The twins were awake and watchful, huddled together in their cage. I gripped the bars and looked them in the eyes. “Noorlans,” I said with care and saw their gazes brighten. I pointed to them. “You.” I made a talking motion with my hand. “Speak.” I looked from one to the other. “Noorlans.”
The right one gripped the hand of the left one. The left one straightened and nodded agreement.
I indicated myself. “I.” I touched my heart. “Want.” Again I made the talking motion with my hand. “To speak.” I smiled. “Noorlans.” I couldn’t think of a way to mime my desire so I simply asked the question. “Will you teach me?”
They squeezed each other’s hands, then the left one stood up. “For what price?” she asked in halting speech. I was surprised that she had any familiarity with our tongue, but that made matters vastly more simple. Her gaze locked with mine in challenge and I recognized that she would negotiate.
If I didn’t offer what she desired, they wouldn’t teach me.
But I knew what they had to want.
“Your freedom, of course. I would learn all I can about Noorlandia, then return you there.”
Her eyes lit and she made me repeat the offer, saying it several different ways before she chattered to her sister. That woman rose to her feet, her pleasure so clear that I smiled at them both.
My education was easily launched, once I had the wits to ask for it.
Would she come?
I sat between my father and Lascivia at that night’s feast, my thoughts focused on my elusive beauty.
Would she appear again?
Or was she lost forever to me?
The very possibility made it almost impossible for me to eat, even though the meal was lavish.
Lascivia topped up my chalice with wine, even though I had yet to touch it. “You can’t be concerned about this night’s pleasures,” she purred. “Not with your prowess.”
My father chuckled as I drank of the wine. “Doubtless you have taught him even more skills,” he said to the emperor’s daughter and they laughed lightly together.
“I’ll never tell his secrets,” she said and ran a fingertip up my thigh. I saw my father glance down, then bite back a smile.
“You won’t know the protocol, of course,” he said to me as the wine sent its familiar fire through my veins. “Three dances will mark your choice.”
“Three?” I disliked the notion that I had to delay at all. I wanted to seize her as soon as she crossed the threshold and savor every moment of the night with her.
“Three,” my father repeated, steel in his tone. “There are those who will savor the suspense. It is your choice whether you flirt with their expectations or choose outright.”
“Oh, you must tease them,” Lascivia said. “Everything is better if there is uncertainty before it.” She leaned against my arm but I ignored her.
“What strategy would you suggest, sir?” I asked my father, trying to keep the rebellion from my tone.
He smiled so coolly that I couldn’t have succeeded fully. “There will be wagers. There are wagers. I believe it would be fitting to toy with the expectations of your guests, to give them some entertainment.”
“Of course, sir.” Even as I agreed, I chafed at this edict. I wasn’t king yet, though, and shouldn’t defy him outright. I drank more wine, my conviction in the righteousness of my own desires growing by leaps and bounds.
Lascivia was watching me, speculation in her dark eyes. “I would love to witness your deflowering of the chosen maiden,” she said, tracing a spiral on my thigh. “Would you indulge me?”
I bristled at the very idea. When I chose a maiden, she would be mine and mine alone. Why should I share anything about the experience with Lascivia?
“A splendid idea,” my father said heartily.
“We did as much with the twins,” Lascivia informed him and he laughed aloud.
“How you must have tormented them with pleasure. I wish I had been there.”
I spoke quickly, my voice tight. “I will send the twins to you this night, Father, that Lascivia might show you herself.”
“No, no,” my father said, wagging a finger at me. “Lascivia will never be in my bed chamber. The only one she will visit while a guest in Euphoria will be yours.”
I looked between them, sensing a conspiracy. They smiled at each other with a satisfaction that couldn’t be denied and I thought of Balthazar’s warning. Now rebellion roiled hot within me. Did the king think to compel me to wed Lascivia? I didn’t want her in my bed, much less as my bride. There was something cunning about her that made me mistrust her. I’d ensured that I’d never slept in her presence and had always turned the key in the door after her departure before I slept. I wasn’t going to be married to her, not against my will.
I would be king, after all!
“Then I will give the twins to Balthazar this night,” I said, glancing back at that knight. He stood, as always, behind Lascivia and at attention. Our gazes met for a quick moment. “You gave me a good fight this day,” I said to him. “And I would see you rewarded.”
He bowed. “I thank you for this gift and the pleasure it will bring, sir.”
There was suspicion in my father’s eyes when I turned, but I didn’t care. Surely I could make some choices without his interference? Hadn’t he given the twins to me for my pleasure? Perhaps Balthazar would learn something of Noorlandia from them, or tell them something of me. My instinct told me that my choice was right.
I wouldn’t welcome Lascivia to my chamber, at least not at first, but she didn’t have to know that as yet. If I was to be compelled to make a dynastic match with her, it would be on my terms.
And what of my beauty? Would she come? If she did, I would claim her as soon as it could be managed. Three dances. I thought I could endure that, even if I toyed with expectations by dancing with other maidens in between the three dances with her.
The real challenge would be to sate myself with her charms by the dawn.
I drained my chalice and realized there was no need to do as much: I had the cage.
I could keep her forever.
With that realization, I smiled in triumph.
She would be mine for all time.
So long as she appeared at the gates on this night.
Chapter 6
Eleanor
It was just after noon that I went to Marta’s hut again. She was chopping wood, a job that surely Royce had done for her before his departure, and seemed glad of the opportunity to put down the axe. “So?” she asked. “Was it worth it?”
“Not worth the death of those beautiful birds,” I said.
“They died anyway. I simply made something good of it.” She beckoned to me and opened the door to the hut. “Come. I need a sip of broth. You look as if it will do you good as well.”
“I couldn’t impose...”
She laughed. “It isn’t an imposition to have someone to talk to.” Marta entered the hut then and I followed her, checking that there was no one at any of the windows of my father’s house. I’d left Bella, Blondina and Maligna snoring, but there was no telling when they’d awaken. I hoped not soon.
The broth was hot and fortifying, plus it was wonderful to taste something I hadn’t made myself.
“So?” Marta prompted.
“It was wonderful. The palace is so magnificent and the music was beautiful.”
She smiled. “Yet no mention of Royce in this?”
“He’s changed.”
“Power does that to a person. Wealth, too.”
“No, there’s a darkness in him, like a shadow,” I continued, because she didn’t appear to be convinced. “He said his past demands a reckoning.”
“Royce?” Marta’s skepticism was clear. “There never was a man with so clear a conscience as Royce. He has never done anything wicked, and seldom anything even thoughtless.”
“Then why would he say that?”
“He must have been teasing you. Perhaps he thinks that all crown princes have to be scarred and brooding, like Lothair, to win the hearts of fair maidens.”
She dismissed my comments so readily that I might have doubted myself, if it had been only my impression of a difference in Royce. There remained his own words, though. I frowned into my cup, knowing that Marta and I would never shake each other’s conclusions in this.
But what was the truth?
“And who did he invite to return on this, the second night?” she asked lightly.
“All of us.”
She smiled. “So, he toys with their expectations. The wagering will become costly. I wonder if that was his own idea or that of Regis.” She met my gaze, her own knowing.
“Is it possible?” I whispered, my heart in my throat.
“Everything is possible, Ellie. What changes is the price.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that the bird hearts are gone. I will have to use something else.” She took a breath and surveyed the interior of the hut, her voice dropping low. “Something older and darker. Something less predictable.” Her gaze locked with mine, a question in her expression.
“I would give anything to go tonight,” I said in a rush. “Anything to see him again.”
“Anything for the chance to be chosen,” she concluding, saying the words aloud that I didn’t dare to utter.
I nodded.
“You must know how the story ends, Ellie,” she cautioned, indicating her hut. “You must know that all wishes don’t come true.”
“I know that,” I agreed, even as my heart yearned for her to be mistaken. “I still want to go.”
Marta nodded and rose to her feet with purpose. “Go, then, before they awaken.” She handed me another rose, another sprig of lavender, both of which looked freshly picked, and that other herb with the beguiling scent again. I understood that Bella’s bath would be just as it had been the night before. “I will make preparations for tonight.”
“Thank you, Marta!” I kissed her in my enthusiasm, because truly I hadn’t been certain she’d agree—or even if it was possible. She was obviously startled, but then she smiled at me and shooed me toward the door. “Go!” she said. “Before you’re found missing and all is lost.”
I didn’t need any more encouragement than that.
If it was darker magic at work that night, I couldn’t see much difference. The preparations in Marta’s hut looked the same. The mice were in the cage. The same pumpkin sat at the ready. We lined up my pearls once more and Marta laid out the raven feathers in a fan. This time, though, she fetched a jar from the cupboard. It was filled with a cloudy liquid and something floated within it, something I couldn’t identify. She dipped her fingers into it, muttering words I couldn’t clearly discern, then flung a handful of the liquid toward me.
I smelled vinegar, then the swirling tempest surrounded me once more. It seemed like a dark cloud this time, not a cloud of red dust, but the result was the same. I was swept out of the hut, and when the cloud cleared, my glass slippers and my carriage awaited. The footman bowed to me and opened the door.
I kissed Marta and hastened into the carriage, jubilant that I would see Royce again.
Would he choose me?
I could only hope.
The palace looked to be aflame, with so many candles and lanterns burning. It shone like a second sun, and the sound of the music made me smile as I was handed out of the carriage. It was so beautiful. It had to be worth any price to attend another ball.
I wouldn’t think about the next day, or all the days and nights after that. I would savor this one, and treasure the memory forever, no matter what happened.
The footmen bowed as my carriage moved away. Like the night before, I seemed to be the last to arrive. I could hear laughter from the ballroom as well as the music and the clink of glasses.
And just like the night before, Royce stood alone, waiting for me.
“You came!” he said, his pleasure clear. He leaped down the steps toward me as if he would snatch me up, but caught himself before he did as much. I saw the gleam of hunger in his eyes, though, and regretted that the version of him I distrusted should be ascendant again. He bent over my hand to kiss its back. “I still don’t know your name,” he reminded me, his voice so low that I shivered. It might have been an accusation, though, which displeased me. It seemed again that Royce, my Royce, should have recognized me.
I smiled, though, as if untroubled. “You haven’t even tried to guess it, sir.”
“Then I will spend this night doing so.” He watched with avid interest as my cloak was removed, and I noticed that his expression turned proprietary as his gaze swept over my nudity. “As beauteous
as I recalled,” he murmured with satisfaction, like I was a trinket to set upon a shelf, then led me toward the ballroom.
If this was to be his manner, I had little interest in winning his favor. I wanted the Royce I knew to claim me, not this imposter.
And so I dared to speak my mind.
“Should a woman not aspire to be valued for more than her looks, sir?” I asked as he turned me in his arms and began to dance. Once again, he held me tightly, his arm locked around my waist as if he would never let me go. Once again, my nipples hardened against the velvet of his tabard. Once again, his gaze fell to the red mark on my breast and he frowned slightly, apparently striving to recall where he had seen it before. For that moment, the darkness in him seemed to falter, and I recalled that it had been dispelled when he had touched his lips to the mark.
“It would depend upon her goal,” he replied tightly.
“How so?”
“The maidens gathered here this night have done so in the hope of being chosen to share my bed tonight,” he said. “And that means they wish to be desirable. To be esteemed for beauty in such company must then be a worthy objective.”
“But not sufficient goal, surely, sir.”
“How so?”
“Every woman is more beautiful when she feels that she is loved, and that often is due to more than her appearance.”
He smiled and I saw the king in that cool expression. “There will be little opportunity for me to learn more of any of these maidens than what is evident at a glance. Several dances and kiss do not reveal the secrets of the heart.”
“What of a night in your bed? Should the maiden so chosen not wish to be seen as more than a pretty tithe, sir?”
His gaze hardened and that new shadow loomed darker. “But she will be a pretty tithe, no more and no less,” he said, his voice hard. “I see no reason to pretend there is more at stake than her maidenhead, and no more is to be gained than a night of pleasure, should I choose to bestow it.”
