by Jeanne Hardt
He pulled out a chair and helped Olivia into it. Sebastian quickly took the seat beside her, and soon they all feasted on roast duck, apple tarts, stewed potatoes, red beets, and the best bread Sebastian had ever tasted. A hint of cinnamon in every bite.
There was no more talk of prostitutes much to Sebastian’s relief. He explained to his father that the women of Padrida were anxious to find husbands, and they had a limited selection here. So why fault them for finding interest in Basilian men?
“Your Majesty.” Olivia reached across the table and touched his father’s hand. “You should know I love your son. And you can rest easy knowing we have not acted on that love. I confess I have stolen kisses, but nothing more.” She smiled warmly, and truly genuine.
“Beautiful and bold as well,” his father said, then turned his attention to Sebastian. “And what say you? Do you love her?”
“With all my heart. She is everything I ever dreamed of in a woman and more. Honestly, Father, I doubt I deserve her. However, I want her in my life now and forever. If it means giving up my throne to Frederick, then so be it.”
“Frederick,” he grumbled. “He is an imbecile! I will not have him tainting the highest throne in the land.” He tapped his finger on the table. “Yet, there is the matter of blood.”
Olivia cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Your Majesty, if you would like to prick my finger you will find I bleed red, just as you do. Have you ever asked yourself how royals came to be such?”
Sebastian held in a chuckle, watching both kings contemplate her words. How was she able to speak with such boldness, and where did she gain the ability to grasp so much awareness of truth and principles?
She smiled. “There is no need to answer my question. Because—to our knowledge—the royal line has always been. Yet, it started somewhere. At some point in time, a commoner had to have been given title as king. Perhaps he was set apart from all others because of a good deed, or maybe by conquering other men in battle. There is no gold flowing in the veins of kings and queens.” She lightly laughed. A sound as rich as her words. “Only blood as red as mine. Part of my blood flows from our kings of old, the other from commoners. So, I ask you, what is the difference?”
His father shook his head, then looked directly at him. “Your mother must meet her.”
Olivia’s demeanor softened and matched her warm smile. “I would very much like to meet her.”
Sebastian feared she might change her mind, but he would not worry about that now. Not when the evening had been going so well.
His father leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. “It will not be easy. None of it. There are those in Basilia who remember the stories of old and the loss of their kin at the hands of Crenian soldiers.”
“As do our people,” King Boden said. “Yet we are able to sit and dine together as friends. Even though you may have found yourself with a broken nose, had the queen not intervened.”
“And it would have been justified,” his father said. “I was wrong to discount Princess Olivia. If any man shamed my daughters as I shamed yours, I would see him hung.”
King Boden nodded. “It would be unwise of me to hang a high king.”
“That it would.” He chuckled nervously. “I do beg your forgiveness. For my slanderous words against her and all the unwed women of Padrida. I am ashamed of myself.”
Sebastian could not waste this opportunity. “Shall I assume you approve of our courtship?”
His father closed his eyes, then opened them again as if it caused him pain. “Yes, I do. But . . .”
A glimmer of hope.
“Yes?”
“Your mother will not be so easily convinced. You must take Princess Olivia immediately to meet with her. And then, I pray to God she dismisses Princess Angeline for a final time.”
“Who is Princess Angeline?” Olivia asked.
Sebastian took her hand. “I shall explain later. I assure you, she is of no interest to me.”
“Nor to me,” his father added.
Their dismissal seemed to have appeased Olivia, but worry remained in her crinkled brow. “What of the rest of Padrida?” she asked. “We have given our people hope for freedom and promises of marriage.”
His father pushed his chair back and stood, then wandered around the great hall as though he had not heard the question.
“Father?” Sebastian wanted an answer.
“I will instruct my men not to touch the Padridan women unless their intention is a proper courtship. I will not have them taking advantage of the situation.” He shook a finger at King Boden. “And you had better warn your women that these Basilian men have not had the pleasure of a woman’s company in a great while. If they are naïve in the ways of men, then it would be wise to give them instruction.”
“I shall speak to the women,” Queen Sonya said. Her soft voice carried over the heavy conversation. Far different from her earlier admonishment.
“Now then,” King Boden said. “Let us have a goblet of wine to celebrate our understanding.” He clapped his hands, which brought in the servants. “Wine,” he said. “And plenty of it.”
Sebastian lifted Olivia to her feet. Every bit of tension had gone from her body. He held her in a loving embrace and stroked her long hair. “You never cease to astonish me.”
“I spoke my mind. I know not how, but my words simply formed.” She looked up at him and blinked her lovely brown eyes.
“He gave his permission.”
“So, I heard.” Her hand moved to his chest and her fingers sensually brushed over him. “What now?”
He swallowed hard. “We go to Basilia and you work your magic on Mother.”
“I would much rather work it on you.”
“Soon . . .” Perhaps he should take her to his room and finish what they had started so many times. After all, they had been given permission to court.
“Sebastian!” King Boden bellowed. “Come have some wine!” He waved a large silver goblet in the air.
Once more, their passion would have to wait. However, he felt certain it was inevitable.
Chapter 37
Sebastian held both of Olivia’s hands in his. “You should go with your father to address your people. I shall do the same.” He smiled and jerked his head upward. “Look. The moon is full. God is awake and my prayers were answered.”
She stepped closer, grinning. “One day I shall prove to you He never sleeps. He answers my prayers daily.” She rose up on her toes and kissed his lips. “Tonight, our people shall celebrate.” Her smile became utterly radiant.
“I do not believe I have ever seen you this happy.”
“I have cast aside all my worries and have no reason to be glum. I shall see beyond the wall with the man I love. What more could I ask?”
He released her hands and stroked her cheek, confident he had done right by keeping his suspicions from her. “I love you.” He bent down and gave her a more memorable kiss. “Now, go. Our people wait.”
With another bright smile, she hastened away.
Sebastian accompanied his father to the wall. “Thank you for tonight, Father.”
The man cut his eyes toward him and kept walking. “Prepare yourself for your mother. I shall help in any way I can, but you and your lovely princess will have to win her over.”
“I am aware, and I have no doubt Olivia will shine as she did tonight.”
“She is remarkable,” the man mumbled and increased his pace.
Sebastian inwardly chuckled. He assumed his father wanted to dislike her. It would have made matters easier between him and the queen. Only time would tell. Sebastian held onto hope that he would acquire the bride of his choosing.
Jonah still stood as they had left him. Rigid and unmoving from the passageway to the bridge. “Your Majesty.” Stone-faced, he dipped his head at Sebastian’s father.
“You may stand at ease, Jonah. Sebastian will tell you of tonight’s events, while I cross to speak with the
men.” He pushed passed Jonah and strode away.
Jonah let out a long breath, then shook his head and grinned. He finally looked like the friend Sebastian remembered. “So, tell me, Your Highness.”
Sebastian considered toying with him, yet wanted the celebration to begin. “All is well!”
Jonah lunged at him and they embraced, laughing.
Sebastian patted him hard on the back, then stepped away. “Father has agreed to my courtship with Olivia.” He went on to explain all the fine details of the interchange, though he did not quite manage Olivia’s eloquence.
By the time he had finished relaying the information, cheers erupted from the forest.
Sebastian grasped Jonah’s arm. “Before the men cross over, did you manage to secure the cloak?”
“Yes. I found it tied as you had indicated. Truth be told, the knot was intricate—as if he went to great lengths to secure it.” Jonah frowned. “I shall give it to you when the occasion arises.”
“If I were wise, I would have you burn it, yet I fear Olivia may ask to see it. I assured her he was dead, but I know she questions it.”
“So why not tell her you have the same fears? Would not honesty be best?”
“Perhaps. But . . . no. I cannot tell her. She would never sleep, and she would be afraid to leave Padrida. I shan’t take away her greatest dreams. I want her to see every realm through fearless eyes.”
“What about you, Sebastian? How will you sleep? Constantly on your guard worried the man will harm her?”
The joy of the evening rapidly faded. “That is why we must find him quickly, though I have no ideas where to begin a search.”
Jonah pointed over his shoulder. “He could be somewhere in the forest, or well on his way north. He could go to Issa, Oros, or even Thanwine. He would be a stranger in those realms, but with his cunning, he could easily fit in.”
“With his lack of morals, he would do well in Issa.” Sebastian rubbed his chin, then grunted. “He knows not of any of those realms. He is as ignorant to the outside world as is Olivia and all Padridans.”
“True. Yet all men have the instinct to survive. He shall find a way.” Jonah’s brows wove together. “Tonight, let us celebrate. In the days to come, you and I shall make a plan. We can engage men we trust to help us search. The land may be vast, but no man can hide forever.”
Sebastian reluctantly nodded. He gazed beyond his friend into the forest, wondering if Donovan’s eyes were on them.
“Your Highness?” Jonah waved a hand in front of his face. “I should very much like to meet your intended.”
“And you shall.” He gestured toward the castle, and they left the wall.
As they walked, excited men raced past them, cheering and laughing.
The women of Padrida would have an eventful night of their own. Hopefully, the queen had given them fair warning.
By the time dusk fell, the courtyard was a mixture of Basilians and Padridans, dancing, singing, and drinking wine.
Sebastian had briefly excused himself from the festivities and returned to find Jonah dancing with Olivia. They had instantly taken to one another. Had he not been such a good friend, Sebastian might have pummeled him.
He tapped Jonah’s shoulder. “I do not recall giving you permission to dance with my intended.”
Olivia’s light laughter filled the night air. “I gave him my permission.” She coyly tilted her head. “It appears the injury I inflicted on him has healed, and he assured me he is a fine dancer.”
“I am certain he did,” Sebastian said. “And I shall allow it as long as his hands remain properly at your waist.”
Jonah splayed his hands. “I swear to you, Your Highnesses, I shall behave properly. After all, my knighthood is at stake.”
Sebastian playfully shook a finger at him. “Yes. As is Allana.”
“What of Allana?”
Sebastian spun around to face his father. Had he known he had been standing behind him, he never would have mentioned her by name.
Olivia grabbed Jonah’s hand and jerked him away into the mass of dancers, leaving Sebastian alone with the man. She definitely had a devilish side to her.
“Oh.” Sebastian thought quickly. “Jonah commented that Allana would have enjoyed these festivities.”
“As would all of your sisters.” He motioned to a wooden bench.
Thankfully, he did not question him further on the matter.
Once they were comfortably seated, his father shifted on the bench and faced him. “Have you forgiven my harshness?”
“At first, I had difficulty understanding, but yes, I forgive you.”
“One day you will be king and you shall find answering to a queen can be trying. Yet, I love her and do my best to please her. All she wants is for you to be married to the finest princess in the realm.”
Jonah and Olivia twirled around the courtyard, laughing all the while. Sebastian relished seeing her so joyful, and it helped that he trusted Jonah completely. Their rapport would help in the event he called on Jonah to protect her.
“I found an outstanding princess. Her beauty is incomparable, her intelligence sometimes overwhelms me, and her sensuality . . .” He stopped. It would not be regal to speak of something so intimate, then again, his father and he had always spoken openly about everything.
“Have you truly not . . .?” The man waved his hand through the air.
“No. And it pains me more than you could ever know.”
“Oh. I know.” His father braced his hands against his knees. “Do not forget that I, too, was once a prince and held to the same standards. Waiting for that night with your mother—well let’s just say—putting my finger in a vise would be less painful.”
“Even through all your agony, she was worth waiting for, was she not?”
“Everything wonderful in life is.” The man fell silent and gazed into the crowd.
Sebastian followed his gaze. Everyone glowed with delight, and perhaps a little too much wine. Except one. Roderick. He stood in the back of the crowd, scowling. His eyes followed Olivia and Jonah.
“Father, do you see that man?” Sebastian discreetly pointed at Roderick.
“Yes. The man who felled the gate. He is a strong guard, and I believe it was he who took care of Champion.”
“Look at his face. Not only is it scarred from a wound I placed there, it is the only dour expression you will see tonight. I do not trust him.”
He went on to tell him about his encounter with Roderick and his ever-changing loyalty. And when he told him about Wittek and how Roderick had plunged a knife into his belly to keep him from talking, the man listened more intently.
“As much as it might pain you,” his father said. “Keep him close. It is better to watch an enemy near than from a distance.”
“Are you suggesting I employ him to my service?”
“Yes. But keep Jonah closer. And warn him of your suspicions. It would not be wise to leave Roderick in Padrida. They will have enough difficulties rebuilding their kingdom after some of their people depart.”
Sebastian had not considered taking Roderick to Basilia, but his father made a sensible suggestion. Even so, it would not be easy having an untrustworthy man outside his chamber walls.
The solution struck him. Champion. Roderick could be a stable hand, not a royal guard. The smallest indication of rebellion would see him in shackles.
Basilia would never be as lenient as Padrida.
Chapter 38
It seemed like a dream, yet nothing in her life had ever been more real.
Olivia folded the last of her dresses and placed it in a heavy wooden trunk.
“Are you certain that is everything?” Sebastian leaned against the wall, grinning. “Three full trunks?”
This particular one bulged, so she sat on it in order to close it. “Should there be more?” She worked her lower lip with her teeth. If she went to Basilia unprepared, the people might find her foolish.
“It is plent
y. I asked Father to send one of his men to bring a carriage. We shall need it.”
“A carriage?” She grunted and managed to secure the latch. “What is that?”
Sebastian gaped at her.
“I am not being ladylike, am I?”
He laughed. “It is not that.” He extended a hand and helped her to her feet. “Do you truly not know of carriages?”
She shook her head.
“It is similar to a wagon, but covered and made to ride within. The seats are cushioned and quite comfortable for long journeys.” He kissed her palm. “And also, like a wagon, it is drawn by horses. Most pleasing of all, it offers privacy.” His eyes danced, mesmerizing her.
She swallowed hard, preparing for an inevitable kiss.
Sebastian did not disappoint her.
When he stepped away, she remained frozen in place, tingling from head to toe. “Privacy, hmm?”
“Yes. However, I fear that since Father just sent for it, we shall have to wait several more days before we are able to leave.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “I have waited many years, I can tolerate a bit longer.” She shut her eyes and rested against him. A horrible revelation popped her head right up again. “If your father has sent a messenger to Basilia asking for a carriage, your mother will know I am coming. Why else would you need it?”
“True.” He caressed her cheek, but nothing could calm her heart. “Will it not be best to have her prepared? If Princess Angeline happens to be in Basilia, perhaps Mother will send her away. I doubt she would chance the two of you meeting.”
“From what you have told me, she is the princess the queen wishes you to marry. If your mother is as cunning as you claim, she may very well keep her there to rival me. What if she shames me?”
“I shan’t allow it.” He ran a finger across her forehead. “Worry creases your brow. There is no need.”
“So . . .” She stared into his eyes. “You will not leave me? Even for a moment?”
