Thane paused but said nothing further.
The gates of the Borjigin capital rose against the afternoon sky, red stone and iron bound in patterns that showed off the talent of their masons.Banners snapped in the wind—the serpent coiled around a sun disc.
Ragnar's eyes swept the walls.Eyes landing on a cluster of finely dressed people looking down at him and his men.It was then he saw her.
Gold and deep green robes shimmered in the light, a cascade of pearls veiling her face.She stood beside the wall, and his chest hammered.
My Khatun.
He would have to forget the girl, Azul of the Borjigin, and focus on the woman who could become his wife.Whatever else his betrothed was, be it a liar, a schemer, or a woman with blood on her hands, she was composed.Composure in a political wife was worth more than beauty, more than her dowry, and certainly more than love.
Love was not even a concept to Ragnar, especially not with marriage.
He dismounted, boots bringing up dust.
"Great Khan, Ragnar Valthorne."The Igwe descended from the walls to meet him—starting high, lowering himself to the level of a barbarian."Welcome to the house of Borjigin.We are honoured by your early arrival."
"Igwe."Ragnar inclined his head slightly, unwilling to give him any more respect."I trust my haste hasn't caused undue trouble."
"Not at all.We have prepared your chambers.The welcoming feast will be held tonight."
Ragnar nodded.His gaze moved past the Igwe almost of its own accord to the woman standing behind his shoulder.
She still hadn't looked at him.
"And this," the Igwe said, "is my daughter.The Akwaugo, Azul."
Azul?
She stepped forwards; the pearl veil swayed as she bowed.
"Great Khan."Her voice was calm, pitched to carry."It is an honour."
The same voice.The same cadence.The same inflection that had said those words,Great Khanwhile he was bleeding on her floor.
If you're the Valthorne Khan, then I am the princess you are to wed.
Ragnar found himself staring.It was no wonder the prayers to put her name to rest had fallen on deaf ears.A bitter taste formed in his mouth as his heart beat wildly in his chest.She had known from the beginning.From the moment he grabbed her in the dark, from the moment she pressed her fingers into his wound, from the moment she sat beside her bed in the moonlight—she had known exactly who he was.
"Great Khan?"Thane's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Ragnar blinked.Azul's head was still bowed.Though he couldn't see her face through the veil, he had the distinct, sourceless impression that she was smiling.
"My chambers," he finally said, reining in his turbulent emotions."Lead the way."
The feast hall was grand, if hastily prepared.Ragnar sat on the raised platform beside the Igwe with Thane at his shoulder and made the appropriate noises about trade routes whilst attending to none of it.
Azul sat slightly behind her father, seemingly not paying him any heed.
Is she doing this deliberately?
Ragnar found himself watching the side of her head without justification.
Does she think me insignificant?
"Great Khan."Thane's voice was low at his ear."Your cup."
Ragnar looked down.He had been gripping it hard enough to feel the clay give slightly under his fingers.He passed it to Thane and accepted a fresh one.
