Bride of Ashes (Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #1)

9. Reyla

9

REYLA

I woke to sunlight, feeling almost myself. Even the rough rock of the ship didn’t unsettle my belly.

Farris rose to his feet and stretched his front legs out, his bushy tail flopping around while he yawned.

From the slant of the muted light, I gauged dawn must still be scraping away at the night.

My new husband must be wondering if I’d died. When I met him later, would he be understanding or irritated that I wasn’t available to attend to his needs? A quiver rippled through me. I didn’t know this man, and the thought of being chained to someone I’d hate made me nervous. Yet I’d soon meet him. Be with him for the rest of my days.

A walk would clear the cloud of worry from my mind.

Rising, I made my way into the bathroom and took care of my needs. After cleansing my teeth, I bathed and sat at the vanity to arrange my hair, doing my best to make it look decent. Dressed in a tunic and pants and with Farris by my side, I left the suite and took the stairs to the deck, bursting out into blooming sunshine. Sailors bustled about, taking care of the sails and using magic to spin a mop around, washing the deck. One man stood near the windrams, tossing them big fish from an enormous tub. The windrams caught the fish in their mouths and swallowed them down, chortling, eager for more.

The captain stood at the wheel, swaying to the motion of the ship, and the calm morning settled into my bones like a warm caress.

Lore’s spell had worked. I felt normal—great, in fact. I almost felt ready to meet King Merrick.

I strolled around the side of the cabin and up to the front of the ship where I leaned against the rail. The high drop sucked away my wind, but this had nothing on flying on the back of a dragon, let alone the exhilarating feeling I got when the dragon spiraled toward the ground. The wind would whip through my hair and steal the tears from my eyes and only then did I truly feel free.

I was going to miss working with dragons, flying on them. While Tempest was the true beast master, I did alright myself. I’d learned a lot from her. If I ever worked with dragons again, I’d treat them differently. Perhaps that was why I’d befriended Farris. He had a heart as big as my own, and he’d deserved a second chance like me. He had the same right to live a joyous existence.

Did I?

Each plunge of the ship through the deep blue and green water sent vibrations into my feet. White foam sprayed up in bursts. The sun hit the waves, making them sparkle like shattered glass, and the sight mesmerized me. I grinned and tipped my head back. Closing my eyes, I drank in the warmth of the sun and sucked in deep breaths of the briny air before leaning over the rail to watch the water again.

Sails flapped in sync with the wind while wooden beams groaned softly, singing along with the splashes of the sea. The endless stretch of blue and green capped with white fascinated me. If only I could paint, though I wasn’t sure anyone could capture the sea’s raw power on canvas.

“There you are.” Lord Briscalar hustled over to join me. “Are you feeling better, my lady?”

“Much.”

“Delightful.”

“Thank you for sending Lord Lorant to me.”

He tilted his head, his brows wedging together. “I did no such thing. You specifically asked me not to speak with him, and I didn’t.”

How had Lore known I was sick? It probably didn’t matter.

“Oh, my,” the lord said as his gaze raked my form. The raised-eyebrow look he gave my outfit would’ve made a lesser woman cringe. “I thought we discussed—”

“How much I love wearing tunics and pants? We did.” I smiled and turned back to the sea.

His breathing stuttered for a moment, but he regained control, slipping back into the kind, yet slightly stern, attendant. “I brought your breakfast to your suite, but you weren’t there.”

“I had to come up on deck.” I swept my arm out. “Look at it. Isn’t it amazing? ”

He frowned at the water. “It’s blue. Wet. Dangerous.”

“Sure, but it’s also wonderful. It’s a wild dragon who hasn’t been brought to leash.”

“Equally dangerous.” He fluffed his arms at his sides. “I should escort you to your suite, my lady.” The ongoing, subtle disapproval in his gaze pierced my confidence, leaving me feeling small. Defiance tangled with an aching need to please this person whose opinion mattered more than it should. “We have much to take care of before the king emerges from his suite to meet you for the very first time.”

Nervousness shot through me.

I took in my outfit. “I imagine you’d rather I didn’t meet him dressed like this.”

“You imagine correctly.” He smoothed his ruffly clothing, and the small glimpse of his smile made some headway in settling my nerves. “He’s an early riser. I’m surprised he isn’t on deck already.”

I sucked in a breath and peered around, expecting to see either a portly man wearing a bejeweled robe and a crown or a snide, vicious creature like my father striding toward me.

Instead, sailors whistled beneath their breath as they worked on this or that, keeping the ship running smoothly.

“How did he arrive?” I asked.

“The usual way.”

“Did he flit?”

“Please, come eat. You’ll need your strength.”

To take on the Evergorne dragon?

“We’ll also change your clothing,” he added.

“About that.” I cringed, remembering how I’d looked when I appeared on the deck for the wedding.

“You’re not going to insist that you can take care of this yourself, are you?” His voice sparkled with kind humor.

“I didn’t look that bad.”

He blinked.

“Alright, I did. I’m sorry. I know it made you look horrible as well. Lord Lorant shouldn’t have been angry with you, though. It was all on me.”

“Of course he should’ve been angry with me. He’s here to protect you.”

“A relief, I suppose.”

A shadow clouded his features, his lips turning down on the corners. “Why a relief?”

“I’ve heard he’s not only the king’s bodyguard, but an assassin. Nice to hear he’s not on the ship to carry out this latter duty with me.”

“If he wanted to kill you, it would already be over.”

Despite the warmth of the sun on my back, my spine quivered. I hugged my arms around my waist. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“On the ship, perhaps not. On land, I’m afraid you will.”

“Why?”

“I’ve said too much already.” He dipped forward in a bow. “If you’ll come with me, my lady, I’ll help you dress.”

“I’m not comfortable with anyone helping me change my clothing, especially a man I only recently met.”

“I would never . . . look.”

“Which would make it difficult to help me dress.”

His gaze shot to the captain standing at the wheel, whistling a jaunty tune as he gently guided the ship, and his eyes softened.

“Like that, is it?” I asked.

His long sigh bled out. “Yes, unfortunately.”

“You never know where true love will lead someone.”

“Sadly, true love will not lead him in my direction. His doting wife and five children wait for him at Evergorne.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No worries.” His sly smile rose. “Life’s orchard always has other fruitful trees to pick from.”

“Then I hope the right apple soon falls into your lap.”

“From your mouth to the fate’s ears, my lady.” He flashed me a true smile. “Regarding your change of clothing. We could compromise. I’ll lay out your gowns, and you can dress in them yourself, only asking for my help if you have need.”

“Alright.”

He startled.

I laughed, though it came out a touch high-pitched. “Did you think I’d refuse?”

He wisely didn’t answer.

“About my gowns.” And lack thereof.

His bright smile swept through me. “It’s already been taken care of. I crafted some delightful creations you’ll be able to don by yourself.”

“You’re the best, Lord Briscalar.”

He blinked before his smile widened. “While I live only to serve, I . . .” He dipped forward in a bow. “Thank you.” His gushing made me wonder if anyone in Evergorne thanked someone else after they did something kind. “Though I must point out that this was an oversight on my part I should’ve corrected immediately, you can thank King Merrick for your new wardrobe.”

I couldn’t hold back my cringe. Had Lore told him I’d brought next to nothing?

“Never fear, my lady.” The lord patted my arm. “This was something he thought of himself. He was quite distressed that you were ill, and he gave me a list of things I could do that might help you feel better.”

“New gowns?” Surely he didn’t think I was fluffy, like Lore.

“Among other things. A jeweled collar and fine leash for Farris. New scents for your bath. And he crafted a special tea I’ve brought to your room that will ensure your belly remains settled.”

“That’s nice of him.”

“King Merrick is . . .” He frowned. “How shall I say this? He’s strong. Respected, as he should be.”

“Respect needs to be earned.”

“With this king, it has been.”

“And with others?”

His gaze flicked away from mine. “It would be wrong of me to speak of those who’ve passed.” He cleared his throat. “King Merrick is also kind.”

All good attributes, but I’d still make my own decision after I’d met him.

Farris whined and licked my hand, and I stooped down and ruffled his fur. “Aren’t you a good boy?”

“He used the wood chips,” Lord Briscalar proudly announced. “He is a good boy. ”

“Better there than on my bed.” I left the rail and started toward the stairwell with the lord and Farris trotting beside me.

“Yes, getting that out of the bedding would prove to be quite the task.”

We went to my suite, and he shut the door behind us, striding into the bedroom and opening the closet doors, revealing gowns of every color imaginable. I didn’t have enough days left at sea to wear them all, but I could take them to shore and wear them at court.

The moonlight gown shimmered from where it had been tucked off to the side.

“I think this one for such a special day?” Lord Briscalar emerged from the closet, holding up a gorgeous cream-colored gown made in a simple design. But the way the fabric shimmered . . . The capped sleeves would accentuate my shoulders. And the cut. The bodice was low enough to tease without making me feel uncomfortable. Whoever had crafted it understood how to dress a lady.

Merrick, actually.

“It’s lovely,” I said, and he laid it on the bed.

“My lady . . .” His gaze slid to the floor. “Were you accosted on the way to the port? You should have trunks full of gowns. At least three lady’s maids in attendance. I’m more than delighted to serve you, but this oversight is egregious. What was your family thinking?”

“I’m rather independent about things like that. And I’m new to ladyship.” I undid Farris’s improvised collar and tossed it and the belt onto a chair.

His new collar, dark blue speckled with red stones I prayed weren’t real in case they fell out, plus a delicate chain leash lay on the table.

Another beautiful gift from Merrick. If presents equated with character, he was doing well in that regard so far.

Farris hopped up onto the bed, circling around before settling, placing his snout on his front paws with a sigh. He watched us, his nose twitching and his ears darting this way and that.

“New to ladyship?” the lord asked. “I’m not sure I know what you speak of. From what King Merrick shared, you’re the sister of the High Lord of Weldsbane. Your father was—”

“The king and High Lord of Bledmire. Yes. He’s dead, thankfully.”

His breathing stuttered. “I’m sorry?”

“He wasn’t . . .” Perhaps a bit of discretion was advised. “He was a challenging father.”

“I, of course, heard rumors about King Ivenrail. That’s why we’re here now, is it not?”

To solidify the truce between Lydel and Evergorne Court and give us extra forces for the battle, the Evergorne king had been promised a bride. I’d volunteered, and I still wasn’t sure I’d made the right decision.

“His death was fortuitous; I suppose you could say.” I wasn’t telling him anything more than that.

Lord Briscalar’s shoulders relaxed, and his face smoothed. “Such an unfortunate situation, my lady. He must’ve been out of his mind.”

For his entire life, but sure.

“Yes, yes, it was quite tragic,” I said. “I wasn’t raised by my parents. There were issues when I was a child and instead, I grew up in a border fortress, believing I was an orphan. I trained dragons, and we rode them against creatures attacking the villages in the valley below.”

“My goodness!” His fingers flapped at his throat. Like the days before, he wore a tunic with ruffles around the collar and his wrists, though he’d worn green today instead of red. “How truly horrifying.”

“It was.” Stark, cold sadness made my shoulders droop. “I had wonderful friends. Someone I . . .” Discretion was advised here as well. If I told anyone about Kinart, it would be the king and only if I felt he needed to hear that information. I wouldn’t hand anyone a weapon they might use against me. “It was a decent life. I’ve lived with my brother, the high lord, only recently, and he’s amazing.”

“The one they call the Beast.” If his eyebrows kept lifting, they’d slice through his hair.

“He’s not beastly to me or his wife, Tempest.”

“You speak of the High Lady of Lydel,” he said with complete reverence. “She saved everyone.”

“And restored the much-needed balance.”

“Perhaps you can do such a thing for Evergorne.”

Please tell me I wouldn’t be dealing with a tyrant like Ivenrail in my new home. “Are there issues at Evergorne?”

“Secrets. Always secrets. But that’s the way of every high court, isn’t it?”

“I suppose. Would you share some of the secrets?”

He paused, his eyes going . . . blank. There was no other way to describe it. Once his swallow had worked its torturous way down his throat, his gaze jerked back to mine, and he clapped his hands. “We’re dallying.”

“Why did you pause like that after I asked you to share some of Evergorne’s secrets?”

“Every court has them. I don’t imagine ours are terribly exciting.”

“Then why mention them?”

His gaze blanked again before he shook his head and focused on me, sweeping across my frame with a polite, determined glance. “If I’m not too presumptuous to say so, we should make haste. You need considerable work.”

“Thanks.”

Color rose in his face that had continued to soften. “I didn’t mean that, not exactly. You have delightful features and a lovely figure. All you need is the right pampering to bring everything out, and I’m the perfect one to help. Then, you’ll be the jewel of Evergorne Court. The ladies are going to love you, and the men will be jealous of the king.”

I’d never been the kind of person who enjoyed attracting attention, something I should’ve thought of before I volunteered to marry a king.

“I’d love to hear all your suggestions for fitting in,” I said diplomatically.

Color rising into his sharp cheeks, he pressed his palms together in front of his chest. “I will cherish this role in your life, my lady. It’s a daunting task, but I believe I’m up for the challenge.” His hint of a smile told me he was teasing. When his pale blue eyes sparkled and he laughed, so did I.

It felt good to make a new friend.