AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Farquar saw the change in his expression, and for the first time, his face contorted in genuine terror. “I was acting on my king’s orders,” he said again. “Your anger lies with him, not me.”
“Perhaps, but the king is instrumental in maintaining the peace treaty. You, however…” Caelan trailed off as he lifted the dagger, the black blade gleaming in the low light. “I think it’s time I show you exactly how ruthless Erdurians can be.”
ChapterSeventy-Four
The Lady
Riona stood before the banquet hall’s closed doors and sucked in a breath, steeling herself against the rush of heat that pulsed under her skin. After leaving the overlook the night before, she had accompanied her father to his estate and promptly climbed into bed, where she had fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
The blood magic pulsed incessantly, like a hot brand being pressed to her flesh, but she refused to let any pain show on her face. She would not allow the court to see her weakness.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and she turned to find Duke Valerian approaching from the far end of the hall, a pair of Kentari guards trailing behind him. His skin was still wan from the blood magic, but it did little to detract from the resplendent image he cut as he strode down the corridor. He wore a tunic unlike anything Riona had seen in the southern continent; the green brocade was fitted to his torso, the neckline draping gracefully across his chest to clasp at a line of gold buttons that spanned from his heart to his navel. The gold threads woven into the silk caught the light of the torches as he moved. Under it, he wore fitted trousers and shining leather boots. A ceremonial sword hung at his hip, the pommel shaped like a rearing stag with flecks of raw emerald for its eyes.
The duke stopped beside her and dipped his head in respect, his gaze catching on the line of stitches over her heart. “I won’t pretend that I’m not looking forward to leaving Innislee. I’m sorry for all this city and its people have taken from you.”
“Thank you. In truth, it will be a relief to leave it all behind. I can’t stay here any longer.”
As much as the words hurt, they rang with undeniable truth. Even if her father was right about her one day earning a place on the council, she could not endure another hour among the people who had controlled her all her life. Innislee was in her blood—this city of raging storms and poison-laced smiles—but it was no longer her home.
Valerian’s expression turned sympathetic. “You brought your people peace, and for that, they will always remember you.” He hesitated, then added in a quieter voice, “I know what you gave up to stand here today. And while Auberon and I are about as different as two people can be, I will do everything in my power to be the husband you deserve. It will be an honor to have you as my wife.”
Before she could respond, the doors swung open, revealing the vast banquet hall in all its splendor. Torches crackled from their sconces on the walls, illuminating the panels of vibrantly colored fabric strung across the high ceiling. A troupe of musicians sat on the platform at the rear of the room, and their song softened into an elegant, sweeping melody that danced through the air. The shift drew the attention of the gathered nobles, who turned toward the open doors. At the far end of the room, King Domhnall and the others were already seated at the head table, a picture of the perfect royal family. Riona surveyed the table, her gaze catching on the empty seat beside Prince Drystan. By the time she had arrived at the castle that morning to alert the king and queen of her decision, Caelan had left.
Valerian offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
She slipped a hand into the crook of his elbow, and together they made their way down the length of the room. When they reached the steps of the dais, the king rose and spread his arms wide. “My lords and ladies,” he called, his voice filling the hall. “It is my great honor to announce the betrothal of my niece, Lady Riona of Innislee, to Duke Valerian of Kenter.”
The queen rose and lifted her goblet in a toast. She once again wore her ruby diadem, but there was no mistaking the ice in her eyes when she glanced at her husband. “May the Creator bless your union,” she said, focusing on Riona and Valerian. “To your good health and happy future!”
“Hear, hear!” the nobles cried, raising their goblets.
The music swelled as Riona and Valerian made their way to the head table. As they passed his chair, Prince Drystan offered Valerian a nod, no hint of anger or envy on his face. The duke returned it without a word. Two seats of honor had been left for them at the table: one between the queen and Amaris for Riona, and the other between the king and Prince Domhnall for Valerian. Once the duke helped Riona into her chair and claimed his seat, a fleet of servants emerged from the kitchen with platters of food and wine.
Amaris leaned in close and whispered, “I pray that this decision will bring you the happiness you deserve, Riona. But…I must ask why you chose to arrange the betrothal with the duke. You were free—you could have sailed to Kenter and asked the Grand Duke for a position in his court. You don’t have to marry a man you don’t love.”
“Valerian is desperate to free his country from Kostori rule, and I am going to help him win Kenter’s independence. I will never be able to repay him for what he has done for our people and for me, but I will not rest until King Jericho has renounced his claim on the land. Petitioning the Grand Duke for a position in his court wouldn’t be enough; I would be a minor noble at best, and I’d be powerless to aid his people or ours. Valerian needs someone to stand at his side when he declares war on Kostos, and marrying him is the only surefire way to secure my position in the court. Together, he and I will free the people of Kenter and return stability to the region,” Riona responded, keeping her voice low so only Amaris would be able to hear. She glanced at Valerian, who was deep in conversation with her eldest cousin, and a flicker of guilt shot through her. They had never spoken of it in plain terms, but it was clear the duke knew about her feelings for the man she thought she’d loved. “I hope that we fall in love in the process.”
“And Prince Auberon? Domhnall told me that he left at dawn this morning, with hardly a word to anyone. Did something happen between the two of you? I was certain that if you chose a husband, it would be him.”
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. “It turns out he is not the man I thought he was.”
Servants set plates and goblets before them, and they ate in silence, listening to the chatter and music filling the hall. Several times throughout the dinner, Riona caught her uncle watching her from the corner of her eye, a stony expression on his face. He had granted her the betrothal and celebratory banquet in exchange for one promise: that she and Valerian would set sail for Kenter the very next day.You have meddled enough in the affairs of this court, he had told her, his voice trembling with barely restrained anger.Now, you are Kenter’s responsibility.
The last course had no sooner been whisked away by the servants than a hand appeared between Riona and Amaris. She turned, expecting to see Valerian standing before her.
“Lady Riona,” Prince Drystan said, “would you honor me with a dance?”
Masking her surprise, she accepted his hand and allowed him to lead her down to the dance floor. They took up a position in the center of the noble couples, their hands clasped, one of Drystan’s arms encircling her waist. “Caelan told me that he confessed the truth to you,” the prince whispered as they began to move in time with the music, fierce protectiveness on his face. “He also told me that you promised to kill him the next time you see him, but I am afraid I cannot allow that to happen. He may not be my brother, but he is one of my dearest friends, and I will not see him harmed. He has suffered enough in this life already.”
Love, hurt, and betrayal warred within her at the mention of the spy, a knot of emotion too complicated to unravel. “He saved my life twice, and because of that, I will not tell anyone the truth of his identity,” she said. “That is all the mercy I will grant him.”
Drystan scoffed and shook his head. “You two are more similar than you realize. You would do anything for your people and your country, at the cost of your own happiness. He will be heaped with rewards upon our return to Erduria, but even if you forgave him for his deception and begged him on your knees to marry you, he would reject you on account of his common blood. He believes you deserve a throne.” The prince’s gaze swept over her, a flicker of contempt passing across his face. “You’re not even worthy of him.”
Riona flinched. She opened her mouth to respond just as the song ended, and Drystan abruptly released her. “Thank you for your efforts in securing the peace treaty,” he said, his expression cool. “I wish you happiness in your impending marriage.”
* * *
The procession that escorted Riona and Valerian to Crafford looked more like a transport of prisoners than a farewell send-off. She and Valerian sat in a carriage marked with the Rivosi royal crest, the curtains pulled back to afford them one final look at the land Riona loved, with its low, rolling hills and wildflower-dotted valleys. It was a remarkably clear day; the sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky, its rays sparkling on the wide river that wended its way along the northern road. Through the window, Riona could see the mounted royal guards her uncle had assigned to their escort, each armed with swords and crossbows and steeped in the Rivosi royal colors. The display was as much a message for her as it was for the Rivosi people, who were already beginning to whisper about the events surrounding Treasurer Cathal’s murder and Lord Farquar’s arrest:I am the king of Rivosa, and I will brook no dissent.
