“I know that voice.” She felt ill and used a word she disapproved of, but it applied here. “Ihatethat voice.”
They entered the same chamber from her nightmare, only it was far larger now. A pot-bellied man with ruddy cheeks and finely spun clothes sat in a crude, high-backed chair padded with dull, stained red. Nothing compared to the elegant red chair from her dream.
“There I am.” She took in the girl who stood obediently beside him. Although only twelve or so, she was already becoming a great beauty. “And I’m terrified...yet curious.”
Seen clearly when her gaze darted out the large open-aired window beside the chair as if she were eager to see something. Someone. After all, her future betrothed would be coming from that direction, so she might catch a glimpse of him through a window that was obviously sealed over time.
“I was equally terrified and curious,” Aodh said softly, his heart in his eyes when he looked at the girl. Clearly remembered her. “For ‘twas well-known yer homely cruel father with royal ties and boundless coin had managed to sire a great beauty. The most beautiful lass in the land, many said.”
“And you...” she whispered, unable to say more when the memory fast-forwarded to a rather tall and wicked-looking man with a crown glittering on his head being announced by horns that echoed off rock.
He wasn’t who snagged her attention, though.
Rather, it was solely focused on the handsome boy by his side who looked to be a year or two older than her at most. However discreet, she knew her former self was just as attracted to him.
“From the moment I laid eyes on you, I was taken.” She managed a small smile despite how strongly the moment impacted her. “And more than a little relieved.”
Because one never knew what they would get with a pre-arranged marriage.
“As was I.” Aodh squeezed her hand. “And I felt the same. ‘Twas only ever you from the moment I laid eyes on ye.” He looked at her with more love than ever. “And I had good reason.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“Because of my deformity, lass.” He looked from her younger self to her. “But ye see it no more than she does,ta?”
“You mean your burn scars?” Constance frowned. “Those aren’t a deformity but a stroke of bad luck.” She gestured at his younger self, protective. Saw only the handsome boy with bright, thickly lashed chocolate brown eyes. Not the scars that had ravaged a portion of his skull, face, and neck. “It’s clear you were caught in a fire.” She swallowed hard. “I can’t imagine the misery you were in while you healed.”
“’Twas misery indeed.” He shook his head. “I’d been trying to save horses in a burning stable, and it didn’t go so well for me.”
“But you saved every last horse, didn’t you?” she asked softly, knowing he had.
“Ta,”he said just as softly, clearly remembering it had been worth everything he’d suffered.
Their attention returned to what unfolded when the men got down to business after exchanging mild pleasantries.
“Ye can see my daughter is every bit as stunning as ye heard, ta?” Her father eyed her like prized cattle. “A great beauty that comes with a handsome dowry and good luck.”
Good luck? That was an odd thing to say.
“Good luck is yet to be seen.” Aodh’s father nodded his head in acquiescence. “Though ‘tis clear ye’ve come into much since her birth. The wealth and power ye’ve achieved is admirable.” His sharp, assessing gaze raked over her. “And whilst she will bear my monster an heir to the throne that will no doubt be handsome, I am far more interested in whether she is lucky enough to make him less grotesque. For if she can accomplish such a feat, she would be most welcome in my kingdom indeed.”
Constance wasn’t sure what she felt more strongly at those words. Pity or rage. Pity his father couldn’t see the strength and courage in his own son. His very goodness. Because she saw it clearly.
Or rage because he was every bit as cruel as her own father.
Something she knew her younger self agreed with because she felt her every thought. Saw her clench her fists, then force herself to relax them.
“As per our agreement, they will spend a chaperoned summer together.” Her father gestured dismissively at his daughter without sparing her a glance. “Then ye will see the good luck she brings. Not just with wealth but health.”
“Will it take all summer then?” His father narrowed his eyes. “Because ‘tis rumored the druids have taken notice of her for her ability to bring such luck.”
“’Tis just good luck,” her father clarified tightly, undoubtedly not wanting to lose his chance at his daughter marrying a future king and the added prestige it would bring. The chance of becoming not just a lesser king but one with more standing. “My daughter is nothing the priest and priestesses would be interested in, for hers is not magic via the gods.”
“One can only hope.” His father peered down his nose at her. “If she is capable of what many claim and my offspring looks more a man than beast by the end of summer, I will approve the marriage.” He eyed his son with disgust before he spun on his heel and strode from the room, calling over his shoulder, “Otherwise, ye can keep him and feed him to yer dogs for all I care.”
She rested her hand on Aodh’s shoulder in comfort and bit back tears. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not...and wasn’t.” His tight expression softened when his gaze drifted to her former incarnate. “Not when it gave me the chance to stay here with you. To spend whatever time I was allowed before I inevitably ended up just as my father suggested.”
