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He’s certainly a notorious figure.
And I know next to nothing about him—therealhim.
I can only hope.
Why you, Fin?
That’s what Kastel asked me as my brothers bid me farewell. They were confused and a little angry at father for not giving them enough forewarning, but I reassured them that this arrangement was fine.
That this was what I wanted.
That I hadagreed.
Even though I’d done no such thing.
“How did father get the Emperor to agree to this? Duthriss is still the crown prince. Even if heisa madman, he could have had his pick of the ladies in Lukiria… ahem, that’s not to say that you aren’t an absolute bloody catch, dear sister, but you know what I mean. Father’s a baron, not a duke. When we get invited to the Midwinter ball, it’s as an afterthought.”
“I don’t know, but it’s probably better than being married off to some old geezer. You know me. I’ll survive. Wish me luck, Rick and Kas. And come visit in the summer.”
The light outside begins to fade. Soon, it will be dark again. The temperature will drop sharply, and we’ll halt for the night. The soldiers will start a fire, and they’ll sleep outside in their thick bedrolls as one of them stays awake, keeping an eye out for wolves and brigands.
Only I get to sleep in the carriage, piling rough grey blankets on top of myself to try and keep warm, because the heat of the fire never quite reaches the cabin.
We’ve only just entered the borders of Tyron—or so Janvia tells me—and the nights have grown terribly long.
It feels like the winter here is endless.
Perhaps there is no such thing as spring in Tyron.
I shudder at the thought.
We pass by the last of the ancient trees and enter a part of the woods where the vegetation—although still barren—is thicker. Here, the trees are twisted and weeping, their slender branches almost touching the ground. For the very first time, I see a smattering of greenery in the snow; small, rounded bushes that bear small red berries.
I wonder if they’re poisonous.
After a while, the shadows grow so deep I can no longer see between the trees.
The gleaming red berries disappear in the darkness.
“Halt!”
The carriage grinds to a stop.
“Let’s camp here for the night.”
Rough voices fill the clearing; the soldiers make weary banter as they dismount and retrieve kindling and wood-blocks from a pack below the carriage.
The clinking of chains and keys reaches my ears. Moments later, the door to my cabin unlocks.
“Evening, princess.” It’s Brusic, the head guard. A freshly lit torch burns in his hand, creating a cocoon of light in the creeping darkness. “Time for you to step out and enjoy the sunshine.”
His pale blue eyes roam across my face, before traveling down my neck, my chest, my waist…
What can he possibly be imagining when I’m draped in all this bloody silk?
I shudder to think.
Foul bastard.He’s just like all the servants that are loyal to my father.
