Chapter 17
Yalina
I’m awoken by a tapping on the door. I open my eyes and roll so I can look out the window over the balcony to where the light is creeping up over the horizon. So early.
I yawn and stretch, expecting my maid, but she has another servant with her this morning. They enter together and stand at the doorway with heads bowed. “Light of the Sun, Prince Noreth has sent a special gift to you. May we bring it in?”
I sit, blinking. “What is it?”
They smile. “We think you will like it.”
There’s a shriek—the distinctive voice of a bird of prey—from the corridor, and I twist to the side, trying to see what is out there.
My maid approaches and holds up a house gown for me to slip over my shoulders. She ties it at the waist as the other woman ushers in a lanky young man with a thick leather glove over his right hand. “Eyes down,” she whispers to him.
The poor boy looks nervous, but he shuffles forward, holding up the gloved hand so a speckle-feathered falcon with a hood over his eyes can sit on his arm.
“Oh.” I walk closer to inspect the bird. It is a lovely creature, to be sure, but I suppose I was hoping for something more. Something personal. Something which revealed something about the prince’s true identity.
I sigh. “What a gracious gift.”
“H-he is a rare species, Light of the Sun. Very expensive.”
“Huh.”
The falconer stands awkwardly holding the bird for my inspection with his eyes on the floor. “Would you like to hold him, Light of the Sun?”
I wave my hand dismissively. “No. Thank you. You may take him to the falconry and leave him with the other birds.”
He bows, and the bird flaps its wings out as it adjusts to his movement. It twists its head and snaps its sharp beak, letting out another high-pitched call.
“He is still a bit wild, Light of the Sun, but we will train him.”
Poor bird. Has he been captured and caged just for me. I’m tempted to tell him to set it free, but that would be rude when the gift has been given to me only today.
“Will you dress me?” I ask my maid.
She hurries to my wardrobe and begins preparing an outfit. The falconer and the second servant leave and close the door behind them.
As my maid dresses me, I go over my short speech in my head. I’m going to tell the princes there will be a competition. If they agree, they will take part in challenges of my choosing until I have decided who is the winner and who will be my solharan.
I do not know how either of them will take this news.
Noreth is unreadable. I cannot tell what he will say.
A few days ago I would have said Aurelion would be angry, but I have seen a different side to him recently.
I suspect he might relish a challenge. I’m certain he will be confident he will win.
This morning breakfast is set in the formal dining hall.
The room is enormous and ridiculous for three people, but I wanted to set the tone for my announcement.
Aurelion and Noreth are already seated when I arrive.
They stand and give me a nod of acknowledgment as I enter.
I sit and accept some sliced fruit, which Aurelion passes to me.
“What a privilege to breakfast with you, Solha. What have you got planned for us today?”
“Yes, such a privilege,” Noreth adds quickly. “Did you like your gift?”
“So thoughtful of you.” I pass him the fruit and gesture to the servant waiting on us to pour my coffee.
He takes the plate. “He is a very rare falcon. Much bigger than any of the ones you have already.”
This irritates me, but I keep my smile in place. Aurelion is watching the exchange with a calculating look.
“Yes. He is a beautiful bird. Thank you.”
The dragon prince snorts. “But not what the princess truly wanted, I think. Too bad, Noreth.”
Noreth glares at Aurelion across the table, and for a moment I’m worried the tension will escalate. It is a little exciting to have the two males competing to win my favor already. I’m suddenly keen to begin the true challenge.
I clear my throat. “Well, I asked you both to break your fast with me because I have made a decision.”
They both pause and turn to watch me intently.
“I have decided how I will choose my solharan. Since I have two such noble suitors, the fairest thing to do is to allow you to compete in a series of challenges to allow me to see who will make me the best husband.”
Aurelion grins. “A wise plan, Light of the Sun, because, naturally, I shall win. I will make you the best husband.”
Noreth looks shaken for a moment, but he quickly recovers, mirroring Aurelion’s grin. “We’ll see about that. When do we start?”
So far so good. “We shall start today.”
“Perfect. Just say the word, and I’m ready to demonstrate any skill you wish to see.” Aurelion looks like he’s ready to leap up and duel Noreth right here in the dining hall.
“So am I!”
“What are we to demonstrate today? I hope for Noreth’s sake it isn’t gift giving.” Aurelion laughs.
Noreth’s face colors, but he says nothing.
“Your first challenge is to demonstrate that you know something about me,” I say.
Aurelion laughs—a genuine belly laugh—leaning back in his chair. “Perfect. I already know how to win commiserations, Noreth.”
Noreth scowls. “What do you mean demonstrate?”
I give him a cool look. “It is part of the task for you to work that out on your own.”
His mouth drops open, but I turn away, focusing my attention on Aurelion. “I wouldn’t crow too soon.”
True to form, he doesn’t look at all put out. “Oh, I assure you, Light of the Sun, you will love my demonstration.” His voice drops low, though it is still definitely loud enough for Noreth to hear. “I look forward to demonstrating to you all my husbandly skills. In time.”
I flush, taking a sip of iced tea to cover the way his words make me flustered. After our flight, his innuendo doesn’t sound so unappealing to me. In fact, I’ll admit to being just a little curious about what it might be like to bed a dragon.
Aurelion finishes the last of the food on his plate and stands. “Can you be ready in one hour? The winds are best before midday.”
Ah, so he’s planning another flight. My heart beats a little faster at the thought of going flying with him again, but I am a little disappointed he hasn’t thought of something more unique.
After all, he took me flying only yesterday.
Perhaps Noreth has a chance still, though his gift this morning says otherwise.
I give Aurelion a smile. “Yes, of course. Prince Noreth, you have until this evening to present me with your demonstration.”
“This evening!”
“What? Too difficult? Do you know nothing about me?”
He shifts uncomfortably then stands from the table. “Excuse me. You are right, I had better go and prepare.”
Pleased with my plan, I retire to my rooms to select an outfit with a long tunic and soft trousers. If I’m to fly today, I’ll be better prepared this time. Though a little voice suggests that wearing a skirt and getting to wrap my bare legs around Aurelion’s heated body would not be so bad.
In the end I settle for the trousers, telling myself not to be so cheap. Just because I’m angry with Noreth—or Kaelun?—does not mean I need to give Aurelion more excuses to take liberties.