“No.” Verice replied and etiquette be damned. He wasn’t being pushed into this. “I am bound by those oaths.”
“A simple matter, really.” Queen Blesenthala’s eyes glittered, her voice low and lovely. “In all honor, you will be brought back within the Royal family. Blood binds tighter than any oath. And to that end, we have had a thought to bind you even tighter to us. A marriage.”
“Marriage?” Verice gaped at her, as the pit became a chasm. “Your Majesty, I—”
“Too long you have been without companionship, Verice.” Barathiel leaned forward. “It’s not healthy to live alone without the love of a faella.” He paused. “Unless you prefer a mael?”
“No, Your Majesty,” Verice said. “But—”
“Then there is no impediment,” Barathiel said. “We would see you wed to a faella of a Blood that will bring you all honors.”
“Your Majesty—” Verice tried to gather his wits. “My oaths—”
King Barathiel would have none of it. He cut through Verice’s protests. “Tassinic is best brought within the protection of our throne and power.”
“Your Majesty—”
“Your blood is of the highest, Verice. It’s time for you to stop wasting time with these—” his eyes flicked to Warna and away. “These amusements. Take up the duties and responsibilities imposed on you by virtue of your birth. There’s really no reason you cannot be wed, is there?”
Verice’s mouth was as dry as his brain. “Your Majesty—”
“Actually, there is,” Warna’s voice came over his shoulder as she advanced to his side. “He has pledged his troth to me.”
Warna watched witha great deal of satisfaction as her words wiped the smug looks off the faces of the King and Queen.
The Queen recovered first, her face serene, her eyes enraged. “We’d no word of this,” she said icily, shooting a glance at Charrin.
“Your Majesty.” Warna gave her best deep bow, more to give Verice time to find his voice than to honor the Queen. She rose to her feet as slow as grace would allow. “Our vows were only recently exchanged. I’d asked my lord to keep this between the two of us, in hopes that my family might be located and permission given.”
Verice seemed to recover, and lifted his wrist, extending it to Warna, who placed her fingers on it gratefully. “I honored my lady’s request.” He bowed to both the King and Queen. “Please forgive our delay in informing you of our intentions,” Verice focused on Warna, and she glowed at the warmth in his eyes. “We’d love to have you for the ceremony.”
The silence was icy, but the look in Verice’s eyes was enough to protect Warna from the chill.
Verice turned back. “If that was all, Your Majesty, we would return to Tassinic. I offer assurances that I will keep my borders secure, and honor the treaties between Palins and Valltera.”
“No.” Barathiel stood abruptly. “This warrants private discussions between you and I. But at this time, other petitioners await our attention. Perhaps you wish to show your...intended...the gardens? We will summon you to our side shortly.”
Verice inclined his head. “Our thanks to your gracious majesties.” Before Warna could start her curtsey, he led her off through tall doors on the other side of the room, and into the gardens.
Verice didn’t stopuntil he was sure they were well out of the range of any listeners. He took Warna’s hand and urged her through the rows of hedges and flowers, all perfectly trimmed without a leaf or branch out of place.
Finally, he found a bench surrounded by a field of knee-high lavender, where he had a clear field of vision. He stopped, and checked their surroundings.
Warna sank down onto the bench as if all the energy had drained from her. “Verice, I am so sorry,” she started.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Verice started to pace in the area before her, still keeping watch.
“I’ve all but trapped you into a marriage,” Warna said. “But I didn’t see any other way. They both seemed so smug, so sure they’d trapped you—”
“They may have,” Verice said. “And please believe my anger is for myself, not you. I should have seen this coming.”
“I don’t see how,” Warna said.
“Barathiel has always resented Palins,” Verice said. “And that his father, my uncle, consented to releasing me so that I could swear fealty to King Jeverard.”
“So, heisyour cousin?” Warna asked, her eyes going wide.
“Only when he deems fit to acknowledge that fact,” Verice growled. “Now, to find a way out of here without offending their delicate sensibilities.”
