A Prince's Duty (The Royal Houses of Sea and Snow Book 1)

by Jude Marquez

  Perhaps he would be able to find someone the way that Alyx and Evander found each other; a commoner on the road, a destiny written in the stars.

  Eamon pushed open the heavy doors of his own room and walked in. His large bed dominated the room and the weapons that were displayed on the wall caught the afternoon light, dazzling his eyes for a moment.

  Until dinner there was not much else for him to do to entertain himself. It would be unseemly to hide away in the library like he wanted to. Instead, he picked up a letter from Evander that he meant to reply to and so, went in search of parchment that he might write on.

  As he was looking through the piles on his desk, there was a knock at the door.

  “Enter!” Eamon called out.

  When he looked up, Willhelm and Nicolin were standing there. Neither one said anything, which was unusual, as most of the time Eamon could not get them to shut up.

  “Did we already offend the visiting family? I had nothing to do with it. I showed Alik to his rooms and have been here the entire time,” Eamon said.

  “No, sire-” Nicolin said.

  “There is talk in the town. The oracle has reported to Nicolin and I that there are suspicious people in the village,” Willhelm said, cutting to the chase.

  Eamon straightened up and frowned. “Suspicious how?”

  “In accent and mannerisms. The oracle greeted one of them and they were lost for a moment, as though they had never heard the words before.”

  That was suspicious. Those that lived on the islands knew the traditional greeting from birth; frequent visitors learned quickly.

  “They might be visiting for the first time,” Eamon said and crossed his arms over his chest. He would not give in to panic so easily.

  “They inquire of the visiting Prince,” Nicolin murmured.

  That was unusual. The Grayhaven family’s visit was not well known throughout the lands and those that did know were kept too busy over the past days to spread gossip, especially to the villages, and especially to newcomers.

  “Tell me your thoughts,” Eamon said.

  “I do not care for it. The Vresal army pushes too close and they have been this bold before. I think we should bring them in for questioning,” Willhelm said.

  Eamon nodded before looking to Nicolin.

  “If they are taken, it will arouse suspicion. I think we should have them followed and reported. I would like to speak to some people in the village about it before we take any action that should appear too sudden.”

  Eamon considered their options before nodding. “I will visit the orphanage within the next few days. Let the priestesses know and have the servants ready a caravan.”

  Both soldiers looked pained. “The orphans?” Willhelm asked. He was as good with children as a dragon would be.

  “Who so loves their Prince but the orphans? Especially when their Prince brings them presents. Who else can go unnoticed and report back without any suspecting them?” Eamon asked.

  Neither soldier said a word.

  “That’s what I thought. Go. Ready yourselves for dinner. Inform the other men that they are standing for royalty tonight.”

  Chapter 4

  Dinner was a revelation.

  There was all manner of roasted meat, honey mead, seafood that Alik had never tasted, and music accompanied by dancers he had only heard rumors of. The knights sat at one table, regarding the other court coolly from across the table. The kings and queens sat at a table on a raised dais and talked loudly and laughed.

  The rest of the royal family sat at a different table. When Issat and Alik stepped into the large hall, he couldn't help but notice that everyone was already seated and Eamon was at the head of their table, lounging arrogantly at the head of the table. He had one long leg stretched out to the side of the table, the other under the table. He surveyed those around him with a keen, if silent, interest. The other three siblings were deep in a discussion that Eamon seemed to be listening to until he caught sight of Alik and Issat as they crossed the hall to their table. Eamon tapped his fingers on the table and everyone immediately fell silent and turned to follow his gaze.

  "He has them trained," Alik muttered to Issat.

  "Or they respect him enough to follow his guidance," Issat murmured.

  Alik turned to her for a moment, ready to demand whose side she was on but then they were at the table and being seated.

  She returned the look anyway, like he had spoken his thoughts out loud.

  No one spoke while the servants poured wine and mead for the newest arrivals. Were it not for the dancers and the music and the other conversations it would have been painfully obvious how uncomfortable everyone at the table was.

  Alik hated that his parents put him in this position and it was on the tip of his tongue to apologize to everyone at the table before he was cut off.

  "How was your journey?" Edmond finally asked, breaking the strange silence that fell over their table. At the head, it seemed like Eamon would be the one to direct the conversation and encourage talk, but he remained silent and cool over his plate.

  "Good. It was kind of your father to send his ships. They are extraordinary," Alik said. The Ataton empire was renowned for their ships and their skills at sea. When the two kings decided on the marriage, King Therris sent his finest ship to ferry them on the long journey. The rooms and the servants and the sailors that had accompanied The Night Sky made the journey like they never left home.

  The silence fell again. Issat kicked Alik and he looked at her and she raised her eyebrows and he blinked at her. Even raised in the Grayhaven Court and skilled in all manner of conversation, it was still impossible for Alik to have a conversation with himself.

  "If it pleases Your Highness, I could arrange for some hunting tomorrow," Lissandra said when the silence became too much. "We have an excellently stocked field-"

  "Oh, no. Please, don't trouble yourself," Alik said. "I was actually hoping that everyone would be able to go about their day to day business and that I might be able to observe?"

  It was something that he planned but hadn't discussed with anyone but Issat. She wasn’t trusting of his plan, but he pointed out that it would be much more beneficial to both parties involved if they were to see each other at their most mundane and everyday tasks as opposed to putting on airs and showing off the extravagant nature that accompanied royalty. Alik knew all about that. What he wanted to see was what everyone was like outside of the extravagance and the show.

  Edmond looked up at Eamon who didn't return his look but rather kept his eyes on his plate as he speared a piece of roast. The only acknowledgment that they got from Eamon was a raised eyebrow.

  Alik didn’t understand the man’s attitude. He greeted both Issat and Alik warmly enough but now he made it clear that he wanted as little to do with him as possible.

  This was going to be more frustrating than Alik thought they would be.

  "That sounds excellent, sire," Avelina said gently, covering for her brothers.

  Eamon snapped his fingers and Alik turned to him, surprised that he would treat a servant like that. From what he could see, Eamon had extended the same level of civility to the servants as he did everyone else. It was an admirable thing, not to see royalty treating servants like animals. Alik opened his mouth to say so until he saw three shadows slink out of a corner and make their way to Eamon.

  “Ah, there they are,” Issat said and leaned forward to get a better look. The knights from the other court stood but none from the royal family seemed remotely concerned as the three huge wolves slowly approached Eamon.

  "There's no need to be frightened," Lissandra said to the clearly frightened knights. She offered a hunk of meat to one. "They are well trained."

  The wolf at her side delicately took it from her fingers like a lady in waiting would take a petit four from a tray. "Eamon has bred and trained them. There are none more loyal than his wolves," she scratched the one that sat at her side behind the ear and placed a sm
all kiss on the top of its head before dismissing the huge animal to Eamon's side.

  Alik remembered Kane and his obedience and intelligence. If they were all as well trained as him, then Alik knew that there was nothing to be worried about.

  A raucous burst of laughter from the head table startled Alik more than the wolves did. He craned his head around to see Therris speaking loudly of a battle that Alik was fairly certain he was not involved in.

  "I have an early morning," Eamon said abruptly as the three wolves gathered themselves around his chair and nodded to everyone at the table. "If you'll excuse me."

  "I must say good night also," Avelina said. "I have an early morning as well."

  The knights at the other table stood when she did and she swept by the dais to wish everyone a good night. Alik couldn't help but notice that Eamon did not bid either set of royal parents good night.

  "Brother, can I borrow Kane?" Avelina asked Eamon.

  Eamon nodded. "Kane go to Avelina," he ordered and the hulking black wolf separated itself from the other two and went to Avelina's side. She slid a small hand into the wolf's dark fur and she bid everyone good night. Two knights followed after her and three ladies from a different table also followed.

  When Eamon left, he was flanked by the two wolves and four knights.

  "Does he actually need the protection?" Alik asked, unable to hide the way his eyes traced the muscles in his back and the tattoos there as well. His mouth was unusually dry and he reached for his wine.

  "No, but the knights need to earn their keep somehow," Lissandra said and chuckled.

  "The tattoos-" Alik began.

  "Are his story to tell," Edmond said smoothly. "I must also retire. Sister? Would you like me to escort you?"

  Lissandra stood and they left as well, leaving Alik with Issat, alone at the table.

  "That went over well," Issat said and plucked a berry from a platter in front of her.

  Alik glared at her.

  "WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS here?" Issat asked that night. She was sitting near the window in his room and staring out at the ocean. She was in her night clothes and a robe tied around her shoulders. The chill here wasn’t anything compared to what they were used to up north, but the ocean did bring in cool winds at night.

  "I plan to tie our two nations together in a bond so unbreakable that our empires become one and we are able to fight off the damn Vresal army once and for all," Alik said smoothly, a line that came to him so smoothly that it was automatic now.

  "Avelina seems to be the most amicable to the idea," Issat said. She twisted a strand of her loose hair around her finger.

  "I terrify her," Alik said. Maybe terrify was the wrong word, but he didn’t see anything close to affection in the young woman’s eyes. And she was so young. Alik would come to hate himself for taking away her chance at a life she could want, even if his own chance was taken from him.

  "Mm. Saw that, did you?" Issat said. "Edmond has the love of his men. He could create loyalty unlike anything you've ever had."

  "He has no interest in men," Alik said. Although he knew that a marriage made from love was out of the question, he would like to be married to someone who had at least a passing interest in him. “I would rather not be anything like my father and that includes his habit of going outside of his marriage vows to find passion.”

  "Were you less observant this would be far easier," Issat noted. "What say you of the twins?"

  "I say nothing of the twins," Alik replied and eyed the jug of wine next to his bed. He poured them both a cup. "You were right about Eamon though. I forgot how cold and distant he could be."

  "I did not know he had that many wolves," Issat said.

  Alik hummed. The wolves were the least of his concern and probably the only thing that did not worry him about this entire island.

  "Lissandra is beautiful. Learned, from what I can gather," Issat said.

  "What are the tattoos for?" Alik asked abruptly.

  "Honors. From fighting," Issat said. "I have no details other than stories I have heard. The same as you, I imagine."

  Alik drained his cup and Issat stood with hers. "Good night, brother."

  "Sweet dreams, sister," Alik replied. It was a tradition that had started years ago when Alik rescued Issat from a life on the streets or the beds of cruel knights that no longer served his crown. There was no one he trusted more than her and she was his sister in all the ways but blood.

  IN THE MORNING ALIK dressed in clothes he found in the wardrobe and discarded the leathers he had worn to the Isles. The clothes were not nearly as tight as the ones from home, made of a looser woven fabric, the pants and sandals strange against his skin that was used to tight leathers or thick wool and boots.

  As soon as he stepped outside, Princess Lissandra passed by and couldn't quite stop the laugh that bubbled out of her mouth.

  "Oh, my," she said and clapped her hands over her mouth. She looked torn between laughing at Alik and being scandalized. "Please- let my ladies-" She gestured futilely at him and three of her ladies adjusted the pants around his waist, tucked the shirt in correctly and one pulled a belt from the wardrobe and clasped it around his waist. The clothing felt more secure, more comfortable, and Alik was immensely grateful.

  He couldn’t even be bothered by the soft laughter of the women that helped him.

  "Thank you," Alik said when he realized how much better it felt and how it felt like the clothing would no longer fall from his body with a stiff breeze. He gave her a winning smile and the one she gave in return was soft and easy.

  Perhaps Lissandra would be amicable to being his wife. They would make a formidable team, he knew.

  She curtsied and her ladies did the same. "I'll send someone for you in the mornings," she said and swept down the halls, her ladies a silent wave of color in her wake. He stopped a servant on her way to the kitchens and asked if she knew where the Crown Prince was.

  She hesitated and then said softly, "Either with his wolves or in the practice yard. Down the stairs and out the door. You'll be able to hear it."

  He gave her his thanks and followed her directions. Once outside, the heat and the humidity assaulted him and he shielded his eyes and let himself adjust before continuing on. He was on the east side of the castle, with a large open field in front of him. There were stables in the distance and several large arenas directly in front of him. They were made from rough hewn logs and were eight to ten feet in height. Alik heard the clanging of iron against iron and followed the noise and the shouts of men.

  The warm air was strange against his face but stranger still was that he was allowed to walk around where he pleased without a number of people trailing after him. At home, Issat rarely left his side and Margrave was always within shouting distance, whether Alik knew it or not. Here, people let him come and go without questioning his movements every few feet. This was probably the closest he had come to freedom in a long time.

  Suddenly he remembered his brother, Cor, speaking of freedom when he was a child. He didn’t understand why Cor spoke of it so longingly and why he would always stare out to the trees when he did. But he was little more than a baby then, did not understand what it meant to be chained up by decorum and etiquette and his own parents.

  By the time he understood, Cor was long gone.

  The sun was just up over the horizon and when he found the practice arena, he hauled himself up the arena wall like the others around him. He paused when he was able to peer over the top and was glad that Issat was not there with him. Alik wasn't sure how long he stood there, gaping like a fool before he realized that more than a few men were staring at him. They sat on the fence surrounding the small arena and Alik took up a spot separate from them but with a good spot to view that activities below him.

  Eamon was in the middle of the yard, fighting off several attackers at once. He wore only the usual chiton that Alik found himself getting more and more used to. His skin gleamed in the sun, from the sweat he worked
up. His muscles bunched and flexed as he drove back man after man and even the dirt he kicked up added to the scene before Alik.

  In the Battle of the Sons, during the last great war against the Vresal Empire, Eamon had earned the name Bladebringer. Alik read all the stories that told of Eamon being so blood soaked his own men did not recognize him. He was blood drunk that day and the stories said he did not sleep for a week after, only fought on and on, drove the Vresal army back, left the land littered with the bodies of men he struck down. It was said that the rivers ran red with blood for days afterward.

  It was not hard to believe the stories as Alik watched him swing against man after man, to fell each one, to watch more than a few limp out of the arena. One even had to be helped out of the ring by two of his friends.

  Edmond appeared next to Alik and pulled himself up to the spot next to him. He sat down next to Alik on the fence.

  "Would you like to go in the arena?" Edmond asked, jovial. He was also sweaty and his hair hung in his face and he pushed it back and used a leather strip to bind it. He was shirtless, like his brother, but Alik kept his eyes on Edmond’s face.

  "No," Alik said immediately. "No desire at all."

  "You are as smart as your men say you are," Edmond said and turned to his brother. They watched as even more men entered the arena and began yet another attack. "I grew up watching him. I learned from his saddle how to command the men. I learned from this fence how to swing a sword like him. I prayed with our sisters up there," Edmond turned and pointed up to the top of a tower, "That he would come home from the war alive and well."

  "You learned from a true master," Alik remarked and they both winced at the clang of Eamon's sword against a shield. The boy, no more than thirteen summers past, stumbled back and fell on his ass.

  "Good show on him. Children are raised on stories of Eamon and are sometimes even too scared to approach him." Edmond remarked.

  "I'm not even brave enough to get in the ring with him. Good show indeed," Alik agreed. He looked up at the sun shining down on them and noted the soldier’s golden skin, as well as the princes'. "Is the weather always this beautiful?" He asked.