Page 40 of The Masked Princess

“You’re being very naïve, although I can’t tell if it’s willful or if you just don’t know what kinds of torture a man like that can inflict.” Soren speared his egg and pointed it at her. “But, either way, if this is the path you insist on, then I’ll be by your side for every step. If you refuse to forge your own path, then I will walk in front of you to protect you from any who might cause you harm.”

“You can’t promise that. Your orders were specifically to return to Dovea when you ensured I was married to the Rhinnean king.”

“If you recall, my orders were to protect you, and I fully intend to fulfill them to the best of my ability.”

“My future husband might not look so kindly on my having a Dovean as the captain of my security. People might talk.”

“And say what? That I’m your lover?” He laughed, but it was as dry and soulless as a room without sunlight. “In this one case, Princess, I think your curse will actually benefit us.”

By the hurt in his eyes and the pang in her own heart, Annalise judged it was time to change the subject. “We’ve talked enough about me—why are you worried about the trip?”

The smile he gave her was as tired and mirthless as his laugh. “I feel like a hired hand taking an innocent lamb to slaughter. No matter what I do, or how often I leave the gate open for the lamb to escape, it seems dead set on trotting straight to the marketplace.”

Annalise returned his grim smile. “Sometimes, even a lamb knows its purpose, and if that means it has to sacrifice itself for the good of the flock, there can be no more noble task.”

CHAPTER 31

After Annalise and Soren finished their breakfast, she joined her aunt for one last ride to the overlook. Brunen was already waiting for them when they arrived. She was alone, and Annalise tried not to let her disappointment show. Ever since she’d met the chestnut mare while with Soren, she’d kept an eye out, but despite visiting the overlook every few days she hadn’t seen her again.

“Don’t look so sad or you’ll make Brunen feel unappreciated,” Helene said, her light blue eyes alight with mirth. As if in agreement with her rider, Brunen nudged Annalise’s side with her nose.

Annalise pet the rhys gently and wished not for the first time that she could actually feel the muzzle that looked velvet soft instead of wearing two pairs of gloves out of fear that one would develop a hole. “I’m sorry, Brunen. You are beautiful; I’m just in an odd mood today.”

“She thanks you and wants to know if you’re missing the mare that was with her several weeks ago.”

Annalise’s hand stilled against Brunen’s muzzle before she resumed the strokes. “If I’m being honest, yes, I do. She was beautiful too.”

“Brunen said that she’s a troublemaker, but she thought you might like her. It’s a pity…” Helene’s eyes lost focus as she gazed off into the distance for a moment before snapping back when Brunen snorted. “But I forget myself, and that’s neither here nor there.”

“I’d like to hear what you were about to say, all the same,” Annalise said.

“It was just the ramblings of a middle-aged woman; don’t pay any heed to it.”

Annalise didn’t pry—she’d learned much about her matrilineal heritage, most notably that she was the latest in a long line of strong-willed women. Instead of pressing the subject, she asked a question that had bugged her off and on for the past several weeks.

“Aunt Helene, you told me once that you don’t have any children.”

“That’s right, the Goddess never saw fit to bless Talen and I with a child.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, who is your heir?”

“Someone you’ve already met—Captain Linnean Padrin is my uncle’s grandson, making him your second cousin, and the first in line for the throne.”

“Captain Padrin?” Annalise couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. Beyond when he’d escorted her to Murana, she’d seen very little of the captain and from what she understood, he took his job as head of the valley security very seriously and spent most of his time away from Orighet.

Helene raised an eyebrow. “Do you disapprove?”

“Not at all. He seems very… capable.” Suddenly, the silver circlet glinting in Captain Padrin’s hair gained a new meaning.

“He’s not much of a talker, that’s for sure, but he does his job well, and I have no doubt that when the Goddess eventually calls me home, Murana will be in good hands.” Helene cast a sidelong glance at Annalise. “Technically, your tie is stronger by blood, but when Elvira left Murana she renounced her claim to the throne.”

“I have no desire to make a play for the throne of Murana.” Annalise lifted her face to the sky and breathed in the fresh air. “I do not plan on telling anyone about our blood relation, in fact. My only inheritance will be the honor of knowing that I keep the secret of the rhys like everyone else in the valley.”

“For that, you are wise beyond your years. Thank you.”

A thought suddenly struck Annalise. “What if you have a child?”

“At my age?” Helene threw her head back and laughed. “I’m a bit too old and set in my ways to be up at all hours of the night nursing a newborn. No, Brunen here has had several foals, so between the two of us, we average out to a perfectly suitable number of offspring.”