Crown's Shield: The Aermian Feuds: Book Two

by Frost Kay

  Sage didn’t doubt that by morning everyone would think she was entertaining other men. She could run to Tehl and explain what happened but she was sure he’d approach her about it later. That was the thing about rumors, you could never catch them or control them. She sighed, exhausted. These were all problems for another day.

  Closing the door behind her, she stumbled toward her bed, discarding her clothes as she went. She lay down on her side and stared at the crackling fire. By this time tomorrow morning, she would be a princess. A royal. She shivered at the thought and pulled the covers tighter. Her mind and heart were heavy, so she feared she wouldn’t be able to rest this night. As it turned out, however, the call of sleep was stronger than the worries of the day. She slipped her hand around a dagger beneath her pillow even as her eyes were drooping. Maybe tonight she wouldn’t have nightmares.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sage

  Sage jerked awake, dagger in hand, startling the serving women who had bustled into her room. She winced as a couple let out startled shrieks. Sheepishly, she waved her dagger at them, mumbling words of apology. She flopped back onto her bed and just listened, the soothing sounds of the women stoking the fire and preparing a bath relaxing the tenseness of her shoulders. Nightmares had awoken her all through the night. It felt like she hadn’t slept a wink.

  Today she would marry.

  Marry a man she cared nothing for.

  She would be royalty.

  Trapped.

  Morning had come too soon.

  That thought had her lungs constricting, and she suddenly felt unable to breathe. She focused on the ceiling above, calming herself by counting in her mind. After what seemed like forever, her breathing slowed and eventually evened out. Everything would be okay.

  “What are you still doing abed?” Lilja teased.

  Sage turned her head to meet the magenta eyes of her friend and gestured with her dagger. “What does it look like I am doing?”

  Her mum, Mira, and Lilja were all gathered by her bed, smiling down at her. Lilja examined her face and cocked a hip. “It rather looks like you got into a fight with a leviathan. That hair.”

  Sage scowled as she patted her crazy nest of hair. Sometimes it defied nature. Nothing she could do about it.

  Her mum slapped Lilja’s arm and strode to the bed to sit beside her daughter. She looked down, a soft smile upon her face. “Aren’t you ready, love?”

  No, she wasn’t.

  When Sage forced a smile and nodded once, the smile on her mum’s face slipped. Apparently, she wasn’t as convincing as she thought she was.

  Addressing the mass of women gathered to assist her with her preparations, Lilja commanded, “Leave us. We will attend the prince’s betrothed. I will send for you when you are needed.”

  Swiftly they filed out, the soft click of the door signaling their departure. Sage’s tension from being watched all the time eased as soon as the room quieted.

  Mira plopped down next to her mum and grasped Sage’s hand, squeezing once. “Are you hungry?”

  That brought a real smile to her face. Mira knew her well. She was always hungry.

  Lilja gathered together a few trays and placed them on the enormous bed before stretching out on the other side and raising a brow. “Eat. Now.”

  “Bossy wench.” Sage sat up, searching for something that might go down okay. She finally settled on a flaky pastry dotted with berries and plucked it from the tray.

  “That’s Captain Femi to you,” Lilja sassed.

  Sage blew her a kiss before taking a distinctly unladylike bite of her pastry.

  “You would think we raised her with no manners,” her mum grouched before cracking a smile.

  Their jesting finally lightened the atmosphere enough that they were able to pass the rest of the morning in luxury. They ate, drank, and laughed. Sage was lighthearted and relaxed by the time Lilja called back the ladies to assist her in preparing for the ceremony. She was scrubbed and buffed to perfection. By the time they were finished, her skin had a healthy glow and it was softer than it had probably ever been. Her hair even shone with auburn and honey highlights she’d never before noticed.

  Lilja rubbed her hands together. “Now we get to the fun part.”

  Once again, the serving women were ushered out. Sage tipped her head back, allowing her hair to cascade down the back of her chair and onto the floor, and she sighed as her mum and Lilia began carding their fingers through it. Nothing felt better than having someone play with her hair.

  Mira shuffled in front of her. “Close your eyes. I’m starting on your cosmetics.”

  Sage narrowed her eyes. “Nothing extravagant?”

  Mira gave her an eye roll and pointed to her own flawless face. “Does mine look extravagant to you? No. All I’m doing is highlighting your features and enhancing your natural beauty. Now, close your eyes.”

  She obediently closed her eyes but couldn’t help mumbling, “Hmph. Everyone is so bossy today,” earning some chuckles from her companions. Somewhere between Mira working on her face and the other two working with her hair she drifted off. It wasn’t until someone pressed her arm several times that she awoke. She opened her eyes to her mum, who was leaning down to cup her cheek, eyes suspiciously damp.

  “You’re done, my love. It’s time to put your dress on.”

  Her stomach dropped and her pulse quickened. It was almost time.

  Her dress lay across the bed, its fabric spread across the duvet. It was the softest green, almost white, for Aermian brides always wore green on their marriage day. It represented a fresh start, the beginning to a new life.

  As Mira lifted the dress, Sage took an unconscious step back. Once she donned it there was no going back.

  Mira, Lilja, and her mum all paused, their faces carefully blank.

  “Are you all right, ma fleur?”

  Sage swallowed, nodded, and lifted her arms. The three women helped lift the dress up and over her head. The sleeves slipped down her arms as the dress fell to the floor, caressing her body. Its neck was cut wide to expose her collarbone. Each end edged her shoulders and ran to her elbow where the silky material met lace sleeves. The silhouette followed her curves, flaring slightly at her thighs, like a calla lily. She felt Lilja’s cool hands touching the skin of her back, tugging softly to adjust the bustle. All three women stepped back, awed.

  Sage shifted, uncomfortable. “How do I look?”

  “Like a queen,” Mira breathed.

  Tears filled her mum’s eyes and then spilled over, tracking down her face. “You’re beautiful darling. And as regal a bride as ever there was, I’m sure.”

  Lilja took her hand and led her to the mirror.

  Sage gasped. The dress was stunning. The work they’d done on hair and cosmetics was beautiful, but she still couldn’t get used to seeing herself like this. It looked like someone had painted a picture of her but enhanced it so that her features seemed more striking and more polished. She grabbed a handful of the dress and turned, eyeing the back. It was open with dainty bows tied in the center to keep the dress in place. Lilja had left her hair loose with a lone braid that started at the crown of her head and wove down behind her ear and under her heavy fall of hair.

  She hated it.

  Not so much the dress in itself, rather what it meant. She bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the bitter words ready to spill out. Sage flashed her family a grateful smile. Despite her personal feelings she refused to make it harder on them. She met Lilja’s eyes and knew by the knowing look that she wasn’t fooling her. Lilja touched her hair, offering silent comfort and support.

  “Not only stunning on the outside but on the inside as well,” her mum murmured from behind her.

  Sage turned into her mum’s arms and hugged with all her might. “I love you, Mum.”

  “I love you too, more than you understand.” She pulled back and gave her daughter a watery smile. “I should go and find your father. Do you need anything else befor
e I do so?”

  “No.”

  “Okay then. I will see you in a bit my love.”

  Lilja kissed her cheek and squeezed her hand. “Courage, ma fleur.”

  The two quit the room, leaving only her and Mira, the latter staring at her through the mirror. Her friend looked conflicted as she laced her fingers with Sage’s. “I have been with you from the beginning. I know how you feel about Tehl. If you want to leave, I will help you.”

  Sage froze at the seriousness in both Mira’s voice and eyes. Her friend meant it. Mira would risk everything for her. She would lose her life and the only family she ever had to help Sage. Her throat felt thick. She didn’t deserve such wonderful friends. She lifted their entwined hands and kissed the back of Mira’s. “Thank you for such love, but I am needed here.” Despite the brave face she was putting on, she still felt the beginnings of panic setting in. She needed to be alone. “Would you mind giving me a moment to myself?”

  Mira nodded. “I will send someone to retrieve you when the ceremony is starting.” She then hugged her and disappeared through the door.

  Sage turned back to face the mirror. Her mum had spoken true: she did look beautiful. Everything about her shone, except for her eyes. They were dull. Sad.

  An ugly sob escaped, her face contorting. Blindly, she clutched the dresser in front of her, leaning heavily against it. She blearily glanced at the cosmetics and jeweled pins scattered atop it as each sob continued to wrack her chest. Why did this happen to her? She wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t feel like she deserved to be punished for the rest of her life. It was just so unfair. She shoved the items off the dresser, the jeweled pins plinking onto the stone floor. With shuddering breaths, she stumbled to the side table, and, hiking it up carelessly, with shaking hands, she clumsily attempted to attach her thigh sheath. She had to get out of here. Now.

  “Do you need a hand?” a deep voice asked.

  Sage blinked and looked to the door. Gav and Sam both stood in her room. She tried to rein in the frayed threads of her emotions but it was impossible. She couldn’t control anything. Another sob rose, and, in her attempt to stifle it, only accomplished an embarrassing strangled cry. Their figures completely blurred, leaving only fuzzy blob shaped masses. She looked down to her trembling hands. She needed help. There she admitted it. “Please,” she cried holding the sheath out.

  The blob with golden hair moved to her side and gingerly took it from her, kneeling next her. She tipped her head back, trying to ignore Sam’s large hands touching her thigh. Her tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped into the hollows of her ears. Gav moved behind her and wrapped his large arms around her, causing more desperate sobs to slip out.

  “Next.”

  She dropped her leg and lifted the other one to the bed. Sam worked quickly and was standing before her. His deep blue eyes watched her with concern and a deep sorrow that somehow made her only cry harder. Sam stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her too. The tears kept coming. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she cried over and over again. Both men whispered to her and held her until she’d calmed enough to take gulping breaths.

  Lifting her head, she stared at the wet mess she had made of Sam’s vest, hiccups jerking her body. His large hands cupped her cheeks and lifted her face. “I am so sorry.”

  Sage closed her eyes, blocking the pity she saw in his eyes. She’d made a fool out of herself. Why was she so weak? They knew as well as she did that there was no escape for her. She shook her head, fighting off the embarrassment overwhelming her. “No, I am sorry you had to see that.”

  Sam’s rough fingers tenderly brushed away the tears dampening her face. Sage sucked in a stuttering deep breath and forced her eyes open. Sam smiled sadly before looking over the top of her head to Gavriel.

  “This is wrong,” Gavriel whispered, his breath ruffling her hair.

  The spymaster’s eyes dropped to hers and she simply stared back at him. In his eyes was a wealth of information. He was truly saddened by the situation but there was nothing to be done. Just as there was nothing to stop the sun from rising each morning, there was nothing that could keep her from marrying the crown prince. Sage nodded once and took a deep breath. She could do this. She had survived so many other things, she would not allow this to break her.

  Sage turned to step away from the princes, though Gav’s hold tightened a moment before he let her go. She returned to the mirror and examined the damage she had done. Her face was flushed with a map of trails where her tears had fallen. Her eyes were puffy and a shiny clear green. Sage dropped her eyes to smooth out the dress, erasing the wrinkles Sam and Gav had caused. She felt more than saw both men move to stand on either side of her.

  Carefully, Sage lifted her face and watched them in the mirror. What did they think of her now?

  Gavriel smiled. “You are lovely, Sage.”

  She gave him a weak smile. “I should with what it cost. I bet I could feed a family for a while if I sold this,” she joked.

  To her surprise, Sam reached down and clasped her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. “It’s not the dress but the woman who wears it. The dress is beautiful but you are what gives it worth.”

  “It’s because of my mother’s good looks.”

  “No,” Sam shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You’re beautiful but it is your inner self that draws people. Your courage, compassion, and love shine, touching everyone around you.” He paused. “You know, our mum would have loved you.”

  Her throat tightened. Where was this coming from? Sage had never seen this side of the spymaster. “I am only doing what anyone else would.”

  Sam pinned her with a look. “Anyone else would have condemned us to death and ran away. You have gone above and beyond what anyone else would do.” Sam turned her from the mirror and knelt in front of her and Gavriel. “From this moment forward, I want you to know you can always come to me for anything. I will support you and love you like my sister, this I promise. And I would like permission to call you such.”

  Sage gasped and stilled, staring down at the blond prince. She never expected to receive such an oath from him. She assumed she would be alone in her gilded cage. Was this a cruel ploy? But as Sage searched his eyes, she found nothing but sincerity and the barest hint of vulnerability. Sam actually meant what he said.

  “I would be honored,” she whispered.

  His radiant smile just about blinded her. “Excellent! I always wanted a sister.”

  A small chuckle slipped from her. “Just remember that when I am annoying you. Remember, too, that I grew up with two brothers.”

  Sam sprang up and crushed her against his enormous body. “The same goes for you, sis.”

  Gavriel cleared his throat breaking up their moment. Sage turned to him, staring into his dear face. He reached out and smoothed her hair from her face. “Do you remember our conversation before you left?”

  Sage nodded, guilt pooling in her stomach.

  “That was never a ploy to get you to trust me. I meant it then, and I mean it now. Despite the circumstances that brought you here, you are a part of this family, and we take care of our own.” Gav held open his arms and she rushed into them. “I am always here for you.”

  Sage gave him a final squeeze before stepping back to look at both men. Never in a thousand years would she have expected to have two of the princes of Aermia call her family. Sam still threw her off balance, but that was just his personality. “I don’t deserve this but I will cherish you both as my brothers, my family.”

  Twin smiles split their faces, calling one to her own face. Reluctantly, Sage turned back to the mirror and stared again at her reflection. Gav picked up a cloth she had flung to the floor and handed it to her, and, with it, she cleaned up her face. She then fixed the damage to her hair as best she could and squared her shoulders. Now was not the time to be a coward. She gave her word and now she needed to fulfill it. Sage smoothed her dress one last time, turning to h
er new brothers to inquire of them, “How do I look?”

  “Like a queen.”

  Sam’s eyes glinted. “My brother won’t be able to stand it when he sees you.”

  Sage grimaced. “I highly doubt that, but thank you for the compliment.”

  Gavriel held out his arm. “Are you ready?”

  No, she would never be ready but she kept that thought to herself. “Yes.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Tehl

  Tehl paced.

  Guilt had his stomach turning. Sage’s broken sobs still echoed in his ears. He’d merely gone to see how she fared before the ceremony, to double check that she hadn’t run off, and show her his surprise. When he’d reached her chamber though he’d stopped when he saw Sam and Gav standing in the hallway. Neither moved. They just stood there, staring at the closed door, faces bleak. He joined them, leaning close to the door to listen, but when he’d heard the desolate cries emanating from the other side, his own throat had thickened and he couldn’t help feeling a little sick. He had leaned forward, resting his forehead against the door, unsure of what he was supposed to do. He couldn’t just let her suffer like that but how could he possibly help?

  She put on such a tough exterior, despite the fact that she was torn up inside, but he knew she’d never accept comfort from him or want him to see her in such a vulnerable state. Part of him wanted to rush in and wrap his arms around her with an assurance that everything would be okay. But the logical part of him knew he’d more than likely make it worse. A large part of the reason she was so upset was no doubt due to him.

  Turning to his cousin and brother, he’d whispered, “Take care of her,” before he returned to his own chamber, the burden placed upon them both by their kingdom weighing heavily upon his mind.

  Life was simply not fair.

  His pacing was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a voice.