Order of Royals (The Blue Swan Duology #2)

Chapter 1

Aradella was waiting to get into the elegant carriage Queen Olina had sent to take them to the Lair. She remembered when her

father had presented the coach to his wife as a gift. As young as Aradella was, she knew it was an “I’m sorry” present for

his younger brother having married a dreadful woman. She yelled at everyone, complained without stop, and she looked at her

sister-in-law with such hatred that people stepped back, afraid they’d be burned.

The carriage was now owned by that awful woman. The king and queen were dead, and their daughter was . . . Aradella couldn’t

imagine what her fate was going to be.

Olina had tried to hide her jubilance at the announcement that Aradella was not to marry Tanek, but she wasn’t a good actress. She tried to disguise her glee with lies. “You deserve better than a filthy

swan herder,” she’d said. “Your dear parents would haunt me if I allowed that to happen to you so I fought them. I know the

man’s mother is a Seven, but why should you be punished for that woman’s indiscretion with a . . . a . . . ?” She swallowed, seeming to be unable to say the words of

Tanek’s low birth.

In the corner sat her wrinkly old mother, pretending to be sewing, but she was actually staring hard at Aradella. Did the woman never blink?

Through it all, Aradella had sat absolutely still, showing no emotion. If she made any protest, she was sure Olina would punish

her by taking away something she had. Would it be Hale? Her library would be found and destroyed? Her cousins? At the thought

that those two lovingly “caring” sisters would be removed from her life almost made her smile.

Olina went on to say that Aradella was going to be given a fabulous gift.

A pet snake? she thought. Cockroaches in my pillow? Actually, she’d prefer bugs to Nessa sleeping beside her.

“I am sending you to the Lair for three days.”

At that, Aradella did show some expression. No one went to the Lair. Or left it. Three women were allowed to participate in

trade but no one else. Her cousins used to tell her the gossip of terrible things that happened in the Lair, but there was

no proof of any of it.

As Aradella waited for the carriage, she sneaked looks at the Earth woman. She had exotic eyes of a deep brown and her hair

had a bit of red in it. She had on a blue shirt, black trousers, and brown boots. She didn’t look very different from other

people, but when she arrived at the carriage, the horses had tried to go to her. They wouldn’t get into harness until the

Earth woman had touched and talked to them. It was quite odd.

Tanek’s son, standing behind Aradella, said in great understatement, “Animals like her.”

He was named Mekos and he was as tall as his father, but he didn’t have the heavy muscle that Tanek did. Mekos was lighter

and more agile. And with his sharp nose and chin, he was handsome to the point of being almost pretty.

It was Mekos who helped Aradella into the carriage. It wasn’t easy as she was wider than the door. She had to turn sideways

to get through.

When she was seated, Tanek got in from the other side and he smiled at her in a warm, friendly way. Between them was the memory of the dance they’d shared.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She gave a slight smile in return and nodded.

“About the, uh . . .” He didn’t seem to know what to say.

But she understood. She’d been told she was to marry this man, but a day later, she was told no, he was already married. How

the cousins had bewailed that! Shay said if it was done to her, she’d protest.

“I’d send Papá to the queen to say I refused to let him out of the agreement. Married to an Earth woman? Their children will be freaks.”

Bree had been quiet, but she’d squeezed Aradella’s hand and whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Whether she was sorry that Aradella had lost Tanek or that she was being forced to marry Prince Nessa, Aradella didn’t know.

Mekos got into the coach and took the seat next to Aradella. Last to get in was the Earth woman. She sat down, then looked

at Aradella with a mixture of sadness and fear. She’s afraid I’m angry, Aradella thought with surprise. When the carriage started forward, she said, “Do all animals like you or just horses?”

As she’d hoped, that started a flood of talk. Tanek and his son spoke over each other, telling stories of some clumsy bird

called a dodo, a little elephant, and swans that loved her. “And Tibby,” Tanek said.

Kaley spoke for the first time. “Oh, how I miss him! But he’s staying with his daughter.”

“She’s speaking of a tabor,” Tanek said to Aradella and her eyes widened. It was a small, fierce animal that people stayed

away from. “Our hope is that he doesn’t kill anyone.”

“Tell the story about the glass shoe,” Mekos said. “About what you did when you left me behind.” He sounded hurt at being

excluded, but also teasing.

What followed was an incomprehensible story about women trying on a slipper made of glass, with lots of blood involved. There was talk of someone named Garen, then a prince who wanted to marry Kaley. At that, Aradella lifted her pale eyebrows.

“It wasn’t me he loved,” Kaley said. “He just thought he did. Tell her about Sojee. You’re related, aren’t you?”

“He was married to my father’s late sister,” Aradella said.

“Tell her how Sojee threw you across the roof,” Mekos said to Kaley.

Aradella leaned back against the cushion, soaking up the camaraderie of them. They were a family—a real and true family. How she’d missed that over the years!

When the carriage finally made it up the steep hill and stopped at the entrance to the Lair, she sighed. She didn’t want the

ride to end.

Two women wearing stylish brown uniforms opened the carriage doors and the passengers got out. Tanek held his hands up to

help Aradella down the pullout steps.

Their first sight of the Lair took their breath away. It was warm but not hot. The air was moist but not humid. Tall trees,

gently swaying in the breeze, and brightly colored flowers were everywhere. It was stunningly beautiful.

The older of the guards said, “Valona is generously lending you a house. Food will be delivered to you, but you may attend

the markets. There will be no charge for anything as you are the guests of Valona.”

“Thank you!” Kaley said as she stood beside Tanek.

“Of course you won’t see her as she’s much too busy with official matters, but you can occupy yourselves.”

Too busy for a princess? Kaley wanted to ask but didn’t. Mekos moved closer to Aradella. “I’d like to explore this place,” he said, but Aradella didn’t

comment. Freedom was not something she knew about.

They followed the guards down a wide path. Unlike in other craters, it was well-kept and very clean. It was almost as though the grass had been manicured.

“Looks like they don’t have a queen who steals the tax money,” Mekos said so only Aradella could hear.

She felt the hair on her neck rise. Didn’t he know that Olina had spies everywhere? “I have no idea what you mean,” she said

haughtily, then moved away from him.

They came to a bend and saw a dozen females, ranging from children to grandmothers. Two young women were staring at Tanek

as though he was an exhibit on display. They appeared to be fascinated and repulsed at the same time.

The others were staring at Aradella. Their eyes were glazed, as though they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Kaley looked back at her. “They know you’re a real live royal princess.”

Aradella didn’t smile. She didn’t like the way the women were looking at her.

“Stay close to me.” Mekos was frowning. He didn’t seem to like their stares either.

The guards shouted something in a language the chips didn’t translate and the gawking females hurried away.

Minutes later, they reached the house. It was one story and quite long. The center was open on both sides to the beautiful

scenery. The big, breezy room held couches and chairs, with a kitchen on one side.

“There are two bedrooms and a bath on each end,” a guard said. She looked at Kaley, her eyes not so much as glancing at Tanek.

“You may stay with him or not.”

Kaley suppressed a laugh. “With him.” She stepped back against Tanek.

The guard turned to Aradella. “If this place does not suit you, you may stay in another of Valona’s houses.” She cut her eyes

at Mekos as though he was something vile.

“I’ll stay here,” Aradella said.

“Then come.” The two guards moved so one was on each side of the princess as they walked her toward the enclosed rooms on the far end.

Mekos was left standing with his father and Kaley, and they looked at him in question.

“I’m with her!” Mekos ran after Aradella and the guards.

Kaley and Tanek went to the rooms at the other end of the house. Inside were two bedrooms with a luxurious bath in the middle.

When Kaley finished looking about, she found Tanek standing by the doorway. He was looking across the open-air living space

to the closed door on the other side.

She went to him and he put his arm around her, but he kept looking at the other bedrooms. “Are you worried about them? Two

teens alone? Are you wondering if they can be trusted?”

“Yes,” he said simply.

She pulled back to look at him and there was passion in her voice. “What if they do roll about? Aradella should take all the happiness she can get before her hideous marriage. That poor girl! You know what? I hope Aradella gets pregnant

and the baby has pointed ears. Better that than inheriting genes from Nasty Nessa.” When she looked at him, his brow was furrowed.

“You don’t like this idea, do you?”

“My son has never been with a woman. He’d be able to soar higher if he had been. Once he finds a life mate, he may be able

to touch the sun. But if . . .” He didn’t finish.

She knew what he meant. They were Order of Swans and swans mated for life. They might have a tryst here and there—as Tanek

had with Mekos’s mother—but a love commitment was forever. If later, a male swan’s mate was taken from him or died, he stayed