by E. M. Havens
Cole scratched the evening stubble on his jaw. Should he take the safe way, the Queen’s way? Or should he take Zeb’s way and take a chance? Cole chuckled as he picked up his pace, winding through the castle corridors. There really wasn’t a question.
Cole stood at a juncture of two hallways. One way would take him to his father’s quarters and one back to his own. He could only imagine the conversation and outcome of his request if he asked permission of his father to take Samantha on a sunset stroll in the gardens. But there was a chance Samantha wouldn’t come without consent from the King. Permission or forgiveness. Since he sought forgiveness anyway, he turned toward his quarters. What was adding a little more clemency after all?
He reached the door to the bedchamber and grabbed for the handle. At the last minute, he remembered how modest and easily startled Samantha was and decided he should knock. He felt a little chaffed at the idea of needing permission to enter his own quarters. Sighing in resignation, he relaxed his features and raised his hand to knock.
A noise from within stayed his hand. It sounded like a laugh. Unless Samantha got into his tea, or someone else was in there laughing it couldn’t be. He again raised a hand to knock when the distinct sound of Samantha’s laughter breached the thick oak door. Now incredibly curious and slightly concerned at what mystery could have her so amused, he pressed an ear to the door instead of a hand. He could definitely hear her voice. A smile brightened his face as he listened to the lilting tones through the wood. She sounded almost childlike, or like she was talking to a child. She sounded – happy.
Slowly Cole’s smile faded, and the warm excitement of knowing Samantha could be happy was replaced with an unfamiliar feeling. His brow furrowed as he struggled to place it. It wasn’t anger, fear, or even hatred. He knew those well. Although the feeling in his gut hinted at all three, this was different. All he knew was that he was trying to make her happy, and someone had beaten him to it. He was – jealous.
But what difference would it make if he made her happy or someone else, as long as she was happy? He shook himself to purge the uncomfortable feeling and reapplied a smile. He would just find out who this mystery person was that made his wife laugh. Knocking and opening the door at the same time he called out.
“Samantha!”
Her back was to the door when he entered, and she startled, then whispered.
“What?” he asked at her undecipherable words. There was a slight shing of metal on metal. For a moment he feared Samantha held daggers, but she turned with a placid smile and bowed her head slightly.
“Lord Cole.”
With narrowed eyes, he scanned the room for her guest. Finding only a few piles of trunks and hat boxes, he strode to the study to peer in.
“You have a visitor?” It was more a statement than a question.
“No. It is just me.”
The study empty, he crossed the bedchamber to check the washroom for Samantha’s exultant guest. Again, finding no one, he turned to examine his wife, resisting the urge to look under the bed. He struggled to push back the unfamiliar jealousy and its new companion suspicion.
“I heard voices.” He crossed his arms in an accusatory stance. Seeing a flicker of alarm in Samantha’s eyes, and realizing his appearance, he nervously moved his hands to his hips. Still feeling the stance a little harsh, he awkwardly clasped his hands behind his back.
“Oh, yes.” She averted her eyes and fidgeted with her hands. “I was practicing my enunciation.” A nervous chuckle escaped her lips, but nothing near as carefree as moments before.
It wasn’t like Cole to let things go, and she was lying to him. Everything in her posture screamed it. He was about to demand the truth when he remembered his current directive. The goal was to woo her. Possibly, yelling and calling her a liar could detract from that purpose. Putting on his most debonair smile, Cole pushed his jealously and suspicion aside managing another first.
****
The amber light shining through her hair set it ablaze. Her features transformed in the glow of the setting sun. Everything about her was softer, less severe as they strolled through the rose gardens. The air around them blended into a monochromatic blush as the sun slipped below the horizon. Even the myriad colors of the roses blended into one.
It took much convincing, cajoling and reassuring to get Samantha to leave their quarters. He hadn’t even given her the gift yet, but Cole was glad she had consented. He stole glances at her as they walked side by side. They didn’t speak. The crunch of gravel beneath their feet, and the buzz of insects were the only sounds about them. His hands were clasped behind him and hers held her skirts to hover just above the ground. He wanted her hand on his arm, but he would settle for their proximity and the contented smile she wore for now. He held out a hand indicating the next path they should take. They walked in silence a moment more, then Samantha cleared her throat.
“I would like to thank you, Lord Cole. Although this is highly irregular, I have quite enjoyed our walk.”
Success! Cole wanted to jump in the air and whoop. Instead, he gave her a measured nod. He now knew one thing about Samantha. She liked to walk. Scrunching his face, he realized this wasn’t much of a start, but at least she had indicated an opinion. For a moment, he thought maybe he should take the small victory and return to the castle, but he was too excited about the gift he had chosen. With the sweep of a hand he ushered Samantha down yet another path in the fading light.
The breeze began to carry quiet whinnies and snorts as they strolled along. Then, the deep rich odors of manure and straw wafted past, and Cole breathed deep, letting the comforting smell infuse him. As he exhaled, a similar sound drew his attention to his side. He saw Samantha, eyes closed and nostrils flared, sampling the earthy bouquet as well. Cole stopped short. At the abrupt sound of skittering gravel, Samantha’s opened her eyes in alarm. She quickly raised a gloved hand to her mouth and coughed ineffectually. Giving him an apologetic look, she gathered her skirts again and continued walking. Ignoring the odd interaction, he caught up with her in two strides.
“I would like to introduce you to a very dear friend of mine.”
“Certainly. I’m sure we can arrange a visit to our quarters.”
“I was actually thinking more like, now.”
The path ended, and they found themselves at the stables. Cole stepped forward and opened the worn door. Samantha hesitated, but with Cole’s reassuring nod she stepped into the well-lit corridor beyond. As she passed him, the lantern light glinted off a piece of jewelry Samantha wore. He squinted at the bright reflection and stepped in behind. He was determined to see what nearly blinded him.
“Nice brooch.” Cole said, catching his sarcasm too late. Her hand flew to the palm-sized, oval medallion that sat over her heart and caressed it protectively.
“Thank you,” she replied, but it sounded more like a question. Cole should have been sore from the mental beatings he was giving himself today, but he continued with the inflictions now. Why did he have to be so sarcastic? Samantha was delicate, and he needed to be more conscious of how he spoke to her. Moving quickly, he hoped to regain some of the ease of their evening stroll.
“I’d like to introduce you to Octavious.” Cole gave a sharp whistle, and an answering nay echoed down the alleyway between rows of stalls. A moment later, a large grey head with a wavy mane a shade darker appeared out of a stall, tossing and snorting impatiently. Cole strode to the beast and calmed the animal, rubbing the velvet muzzle gently.
“Shhhhh. Samantha, Octavious. Octavious, Samantha,” Cole said.
Samantha’s reaction was everything he had hoped for. Her smile tested its boundaries, and vibrancy appeared in her eyes. She reached to Octavious from the side and held her hand steady while the horse breathed her in.
“Hello, Octavious,” Samantha said playfully while she stepped closer. She pursed her lips and breathed a steady stream into his heaving nostril. Octavious stilled and panted as the interaction between them
stretched a few moments. Finally, Octavious snorted, covering Samantha’s perfectly made face in a fine gelatinous mist. Cole expected his prim and proper princess to squeal in disgust. He held his breath, expecting that Octavious had ruined everything. To his surprise, Samantha laughed and gave the horse a good natured scratching on the cheek. Cole exhaled, relieved. He was again surprised to see Samantha wipe her face on her lace sleeve without a care. He couldn’t help but smile in amusement and confusion at her complete turnabout.
“Huh.” Cole hadn’t meant to make the noncommittal sound, but it changed everything. In an instant, Samantha returned to her former reserved self, looking more than a little disconcerted. Cole stammered, trying to find the words to convince her to go back two seconds and be whatever it was she was being, but he knew any words now would be useless. Instead he decided to move forward with his plan.
“I have something for you. A gift.” He gestured for her to follow and headed toward the last stall.
“You’ve been more than generous with your gifts, Lord Cole. I lack for nothing, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness.” She sounded just like her mother, and he wanted to say as much. When he reached the last stall, he turned and waited for Samantha to catch up.
“For you, My Lady.” With a grand gesture, he indicated the resident of the last stall. The horse didn’t come forward as Octavious had, but lifted its head curiously. Cole watched her face closely, and she surprised him yet again. Samantha and the horse locked eyes. She had been so excited to see Octavious, but the succession of emotions across her face was impossible to read as she studied the great midnight black mare in the stall. Her eyes finally settled in the most curious state – sorrow.
“She’s so sad,” Samantha said quietly, the mare and her having some silent communication.
“What do you mean?” Cole leaned on the stall door for support.
“I don’t know. I don’t know why I said that,” Samantha stammered and looked away. The horse lowered its head to do nothing again.
“But you said it and it’s true. How do you know?” He pushed.
“I don’t know. She just looks sad that’s all.”
Cole relented. He wanted to push for more, but understood now may not be the time.
“This was my mother’s horse,” Cole said more softly. “They had a very special relationship. I wish you could have seen them together. Freedom, the horse, would follow my mother like a puppy. She was a gentle beast too. When my mother died…” Cole hesitated, willing himself to hold back the flood of emotions that burst forth with that simple statement. He couldn’t actually remember saying those words to anyone now that he thought about it. He could feel Samantha’s eyes on him so he continued. “When she died, Freedom was never the same. She needs someone, Samantha. She needs someone to care about again, someone to trust. Freedom is yours now. I thought maybe once the Binding Time is over we can work with her together and go riding.”
“No.” Samantha’s answer was immediate and firm. Cole pushed away from the stall.
“No?”
“I appreciate the gift, but I’m a lady and riding is not of interest to me.”
“Are you saying my mother, The Queen of Arborea, was not a lady?” He was inches from her face now, and she turned to meet his stare. There was a belligerent fire in her eyes, and her chest heaved in deep breaths of frustration. He wanted to grab her shoulders and shake some sense into her, then kiss her. It was what he saw behind the fire that stopped him. Regret and sorrow fueled those flames.
“I’m not saying the Queen was not a lady – “Samantha spoke in polite measured tones. “and you know very well that wasn’t what I was saying. I’m saying that I appreciate your gift, but riding is of no interest me. I am a Lady above all. Now if you will kindly show me back to our quarters where we are supposed be.”
She gathered her skirts and walked calmly toward the stable doors leaving Cole as confused and frustrated as ever. This was not part of the plan.
****
Samantha’s hair bore the brunt of her frustration as she combed the knots and tangles from it. It slowly transformed from a complicated collection of curls to shiny straight sheets.
“Ugh!” Though the utterance was sparked by the removal of a particularly nasty knot, the intensity resulted from Lord Cole. He had already retired to his study for the night leaving her disheveled and distraught.
Did he know? He couldn’t know. Yet he managed to test her at her weakest points. He must derive some pleasure from causing her failure. Several times today, especially in the stable, he had managed to push her to the edge, leading her to act like something other than she was, a lady. She had even almost spoken to him in anger. That would not do. And how had he convinced her to even leave their quarters?
She slammed the brush on the dresser and stared at her washed face and combed hair in the mirror. She could not hold the gaze of the plain girl that stared back. Ashamed, she moved to the window. The lights of the city twinkled in a hollow reflection of the stars above that were hidden by the ever present haze from factories and other mech.
Why did he have to test her so? With a resolute sigh, Samantha turned to the overstuffed bed. She would just have to be stronger, more focused. Eventually he would be confident in the lady his wife was supposed to be.
Pulling the covers close to her chin, she wondered if he would come to her tonight. She shuddered and swallowed her fear. Maybe this was another test.
Was she supposed to go to him? If she was, she would fail at that, too.
Though she fought against it, sleep drifted in bringing with it fragments from the last two days. She remembered Freedom, and a sad smile crept across her face. Cole was right about the horse. Freedom needed someone. She couldn’t stand the thought of the poor beast locked away and alone. Forgotten. Samantha understood.
“King Arnold, a pleasure.”
Samantha curtsied low, holding the layers of her blue, lace trimmed dress up from the floor. The handmaid had done a tremendous job of tightening her corset. Multi-colored stars popped before her eyes with the movement.
“None of that now. We’re family.” The King’s kind voice and hand guiding her back up put her at ease. He stood in the doorway of her and Cole’s bedchambers. Images of him in red coattails flashed into her mind, and she pushed them back. Today, he wore a grey morning coat, complete with a red striped waistcoat and ascot. The ruby eyes and toothy grin of a gold dragon head peaked at her from the crook of his arm where his cane rested.
He took her hand, kissing the gloved fingers, then wrapped them around his elbow to lead her to the balcony. “And how are you this morning daughter-in-law?”
“I’m well. Thank you for asking, King Arnold. And you?”
“Doing well, my dear.” He patted her hand as they reached the balcony where Cole stood, fidgeting with his tawny waistcoat. Under her fingers, Samantha felt the King tense. He and Cole nodded to each other, but no words were exchanged in salutation. Cole pulled out her chair, and both men helped her settle for their family breakfast. As the men took their seats, they continually eyed each other, like one expecting a tame tiger to turn man eater at any moment.
Thankfully, the servants began uncovering today’s dishes, and the men were distracted by bacon. Sam placed a vegetable and cheese omelet on her plate. The back of her tongue hurt, she was salivating so much, and she hoped the gentlemen couldn’t hear her stomach growling.
“So, Princess, I hear there are no trees in Perspicia,” the King stated between bites of sausage. She looked up from her plate to answer his question, but was caught off guard by his eyes. They were exactly like Cole’s. She didn’t think there could be two people in the world with such unique, two toned eyes. A grin spread across the King’s face. Samantha realized she was staring. She cleared her throat and dabbed her mouth with a napkin to cover her impertinence.
“That’s the rumor, and it isn’t far from the truth.” Samantha put on her most pleasant smile as she contradicte
d the King. “There are a few protected forests left on the island. I will admit that, in the past, Perspicia has not been forward thinking in the use of its resources. Thankfully, we were able to ally with a kingdom of great resource.”
King Arnold sat back, a pleased smile on his face, apparently satisfied with Samantha’s answer. “Mind you though, Perspicia has as much to offer as the Arboreal Lands. Your people are wizards of technology, something we are happy to use, but slow to invent.” He circled his fork in the air for punctuation and cut into another sausage. “Not like those barbaric Nakona to the east. They won’t touch anything mech. Live in huts or some such. Backwards people, warriors though. They should keep the Fate busy long enough to integrate your technology into our army. We might stand a chance against Fate mech then.” He popped another sausage in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
Samantha had been sheltered in the school, but stories of the Fate army had filtered in just the same. Advanced weaponry and ruthless soldiers were the most believable of the rumors. One tale had them as mind readers, another being able to see in the dark without torches.
The clatter of silver on china drew Samantha’s attention to Cole, whose jaw muscles danced and bulged as he glared at his father. “The Nakona are people, Father. People, not Fate fodder.” His voice was even, but Samantha could hear the restraint it took to keep it that way.
King Arnold placed his knife and fork delicately on either side of his plate, then folded his hands in front of his face, elbows resting on the table as he finished chewing. With a measured tone, equally restrained as Cole’s, he answered his son. “Do you think me so callous as to throw anyone away, like so much chaff before flames, like you suggest I do with the Nakona before the Fate?”
Cole’s jaw only worked harder in reply. Samantha hoped all of his teeth would be intact by the end of breakfast. The King continued. “If you had appeared at the summits with the Nakona as requested, you would know full well that they wanted nothing to do with any alliances.”
