8
M onday morning, our carriage rattled down the road. Greenwood Abbey shrank behind us. The horses’ hooves clomped outside. I caught snippets of their grumpy thoughts. They were hungry and didn’t appreciate being put to use so soon after their breakfast.
“Cissa...you’re not angry with me, are you?”
I turned my attention to Father across from me, his brows knit. It was the first time we had spoken alone since the night of the ball.
“Not at all,” I said.
He exhaled and ran a hand over his beard. “I didn’t expect for this to happen, truly. But His Majesty proposed the idea of marriage, and your name slipped out. You were the perfect choice.”
“I know.”
“If you don’t want to go through with it, you don’t have to,” Father said earnestly. “Perhaps Crown Prince Bennett convinced His Majesty to withdraw after all.”
I raised a brow. “The crown prince was not pleased with the idea, then?”
Father shook his head. “He wanted to reevaluate the existing witch laws, but King Maximus claimed that was too time-consuming. Marriage is the quickest and most effective way of bringing peace.”
“Do you think that’s true?”
Father shrugged. “It’s an old-fashioned solution, to be sure, but I suppose it’s effective enough. Tension with Aquatia was why His Majesty married Queen Cordelia. As you can see, their two kingdoms have yet to destroy each other,” he said with a rueful smile.
It was odd how a loveless union between two individuals could prevent wars. Politics rarely made sense. It was a wonder so many people went along with it.
“But even if you can’t back away, Cissa, I don’t think you’ll be too miserable,” Father said, patting my hand. “Think of it: Olderea’s first witch princess! That is something to be proud of. Plus, the crown prince is a good man. Accomplished and dutiful.” He waggled his brows. “And handsome too, don’t you think?”
I couldn’t help but smile. It didn’t matter if the crown prince had warts all over his face and was three heads shorter—nothing would change.
The palace pulled into view, and soon enough we were escorted into the king’s study. The room looked much larger in the daylight. Nonetheless, the dark, woodsy furniture and animal skin rugs felt stifling.
“Captain, Narcissa,” King Maximus said as we entered. Crown Prince Bennett gave a stiff bow beside him .
We returned the greeting and took our seats before the king’s desk.
King Maximus clapped his hands together. “No use dragging this on, now is there? I just heard over breakfast that Vandil’s textile trade has gone up in flames. Foreign merchants want witch-woven fabrics instead of the usual from local weavers. There is only one witch-owned fabric shop in Vandil. Can you believe it? One!”
The fabric of Elowyn’s gown was no doubt witch-made. I had never seen anything like it. It was no wonder the merchants wanted their share.
The king pressed his fingers to his temples. “Why did I let that Amarante girl convince me to allow these blazing witches back into the kingdom?”
Father coughed. “With all due respect, sire...”
“What my father means is that ending the Non-Magic Age has created far more changes than we expected,” Crown Prince Bennett said. “Handling them has been difficult, and our laws—”
“Yes. You’ve complained endlessly about the laws, Bennett,” King Maximus said irritably. “I told you they will take too long to reform. The more immediate solution is your marriage. You were set to marry last Season but it is better you waited. Perhaps this will be more effective than any witch committee you and Ash can pull together.” His tone surprised me, but I schooled my features when he met my eye. “Lady Narcissa. I reckon the three days were enough to make your decision?”
I wrung my skirts beneath the table. “Yes, Your Majesty. I have decided to accept.”
The king breathed a sigh. “Good. Very good. I am afraid the future of the kingdom depends on this union.”
I bowed my head. “I am honored to serve Olderea. ”
“As am I,” Crown Prince Bennett said shortly. “May I suggest something, Father?”
The king stiffened again. “What is it?”
“Perhaps we should have an engagement tour.”
“A tour?” I said, unable to mask my surprise. The crown prince hardly seemed pleased with the arrangement. Why would he want to parade our marriage around the kingdom?
Crown Prince Bennett turned to me. “I hope you won’t be opposed to it, Lady Narcissa. A crown princess has many duties.”
I pressed my lips together. Was he belittling me? “Not at all, Your Highness.”
King Maximus raised his brows. “That is the most reasonable thing you suggested all week, Bennett,” he said, tapping his armrest. “It is a good idea. The people ought to see for themselves what a proper non-magic and magic union looks like.”
Father looked similarly astonished. “And when will this take place?”
“As soon as possible, preferably. We will target the regions with the most unrest: Coriva, Vandil, and Alevine,” Crown Prince Bennett said, pointing at the map splayed out on the king’s desk. It seemed like he had prepared for this beforehand. “We will need a procession of guards.”
Father sat straighter. “I will put together a group of my most trusted men.”
King Maximus nodded. “Of course. But you must stay here with me, Captain. There are many things to be done here.”
Father dipped his head, albeit reluctantly. “Yes, Your Majesty. May I suggest that Lord Frederick lead the men?”
“A capital idea. Frederick can house the procession in Coriva as well. I will have to write to my sister for lodging in Vandil...” The king’s reply faded in the background as my mind raced.
A kingdom tour? I expected a grand wedding. But touring the kingdom and appearing before the people was entirely different. A tendril of panic raced up my throat. Seeing so many people after half a year of isolation...
You’re doing this to defy Mother, to fix everything she destroyed , I reminded myself.
The king stood, straightening his ermine coat. “Bennett, I believe you have a few words to say to your fiancée. I will leave you to it. Captain, join me for a walk in the gardens?”
“Of course, Your Majesty. In fact, there is something else I wish to speak to you about.” Father followed the king to the door. He threw me a concerned glance, but I shook my head ever so slightly, assuring him I’d be fine. Hopefully.
The door clicked shut, leaving me alone with the crown prince.
Though neither hulking nor grizzled, Crown Prince Bennett was an imposing figure—tall and elegant, and broad enough around the shoulders to fill out his mulberry coat. His cravat was crisp and white, setting off his tanned skin to perfection. Father was right that he was handsome. Though I wished he wasn’t, so it would be easier to face him.
The crown prince pulled a velvet box from his waistcoat, flipped it open, and slid it across the table. Inside was a blood red ruby set in an embellished gold band.
“For you, Lady Narcissa.”
I dipped my head, though I did not reach for it. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“The tour...” He glanced down at the spot between us, running a hand over his knuckles. “You seem reluctant.”
“I assure you I am not.” I cringed. The words sounded more defensive than I meant them to. “It came as a surprise, that is all.”
He flicked his gaze to me, dark eyes guarded and calculating. Of course. What did I expect? Soft words and sweet nothings?
“Understandable.”
There was nothing understanding about his manner. In fact, everything about him said otherwise. Unlike the king who had mentioned nothing about my switch of allegiance, Crown Prince Bennett was suspicious.
So be it. I exhaled.
“You do not trust me, Your Highness,” I said.
If he was surprised he didn’t show it. “I don’t,” he agreed. “I advised my father to find someone else, but it seems you are the most suitable candidate at this moment. The kingdom cannot wait. It would be unwise to put more citizens at risk because of my baseless suspicions.”
“I could hardly call them baseless,” I said, folding my hands on my lap. I had my fair share of backhanded conversations. My feathers were not so easily ruffled. “I hope you will trust I have no ulterior motives other than to help Olderea. My mother is under the watch of your men. If you suspect us of cavorting you can ask them.”
Crown Prince Bennett stared unblinkingly, his shoulders tense. He reminded me of Misty before she targets her prey. The resemblance was uncanny.
I tore my eyes away and looked past his shoulder instead. “I apologize for my past actions, but I believe I’ve since made my allegiance clear. That is all.”
I felt my cheeks heat despite my best efforts to appear unaffected. He was there at the masquerade where I attacked my own mother quite publicly. That was the moment I denounced her forever.
But why was my heart pounding like I had just lied?
Perhaps it was the mutual knowledge that I had flirted with him before per Mother’s orders, and that the coy facade was the only side he had seen of me until now. No doubt my sudden switch of personality was not helping my case.
He was as unflinchingly stoic as he had always been.
“My duty is to my kingdom, Lady Narcissa,” Crown Prince Bennett said at last. He stood and rounded the table. “Whether yours is remains to be seen.”
He bowed low at the waist, then straightened. “Excuse me. I will return with Father and the captain shortly.”
The door swung shut. I glared at the spot he had stood seconds before.
Insufferable! He was as bad as Maddox, though with cleverly twisted words and a mask of politeness. The ring glittered in its velvet bed, as if mocking me. I snapped the box shut and stuffed it into my pocket.
I acknowledged his suspicions and apologized. Wasn’t that enough? What more did he want?
The box weighed heavily against my thigh. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm. Somehow the change in me I thought was so obvious was not so to everyone else. There was much I still had to do.
I just had to figure out what.
“I REFUSE TO GO!” MADDOX bellowed.
“You have no choice. I’ve settled it with His Majesty and Lord Frederick. You will join the guards accompanying Narcissa and Crown Prince Bennett on their engagement tour,” Father said, the picture of serenity as he poured himself a glass of whiskey.
It was evening. Father had summoned us to his study after supper to share what he spoke to the king about. It seemed that Maddox now had a position in the Royal Guard.
“This isn’t fair!” Maddox said, arms trembling as he gripped the sofa.
“It isn’t,” Father agreed. He took a sip of the amber liquid. “Others have to spend years upon years training to get a place in the Royal Guard. You’re lucky enough to have the king himself grant you your position.”
“I am not spending the next four months of my life trudging around in the cold and following her like some slave!”
“Any guard would be grateful to serve the future crown princess.”
“Crown princess? Crown princess my a—”
“Maddox. You are a fine swordsman. With work, you will have the patience of a guard,” Father said. “You have greatness in you, son. I’m merely pushing you to unlock it.”
Maddox’s jaw opened and closed. Apparently, praise was difficult to argue with. He swung to me instead. “You have ruined my life!”
With that, he stormed out of the room, no doubt off to throw a tantrum in the stables .
“You’re not going after him?” I said.
Father took another swig of whiskey. “No. Defying me is one thing. Defying the king is treason.”
I laughed. “Clever.”
He looked at me and smiled. “I haven’t heard you laugh in months. Is your new fiancé to your liking? What did he say to you?”
The mention of the crown prince wiped away all amusement. I smoothed a cushion to avoid Father’s gaze. “He is perfectly respectable.”
Luckily, the whiskey made him less observant than usual. “Good. There’s little joy in matrimony if you do not like your partner.”
I shifted. “So...Maddox will be my personal guard?”
“One of several,” Father said. “I’m sorry I will not be there to accompany you, Cissa. My primary duty is to the king.”
“I know, Father,” I said.
“Nevertheless, I trust Frederick. He is an impeccable captain and his men are competent. I hope your brother can learn discipline under him. That boy is too lazy and careless for his own good.”
He seemed to be talking more to himself than to me. I took the opportunity to slip away, knowing that his whiskey was companion enough.
Misty meowed loudly when I returned to my room.
Please don’t tell me you’re leaving me in this dingy place while you go frolicking with your new beloved, she said, pacing at my feet.
I blinked. It was rare to see her so worked up, much less over something that wasn’t food. “Since when have I ever gone anywhere without you? ”
Since recently. You didn’t bring me to the ball. Or to the palace this morning.
“I didn’t know you were upset about that. You hate traveling.”
She sat down on the carpet. I know why. You’re trying to sway public opinion. Having a black cat follow you around doesn’t exactly paint the picture of innocence, does it? Perhaps you’d prefer a white cat? A ginger tabby?
I squatted to her level and rubbed the downy spot behind her ears. “Silly girl. We’ve been locked up in this room for far too long, haven’t we?”
Misty mewed, batting my hand away half-heartedly. We both knew she liked it when I petted her there. Are you bringing me or not?
“Of course I am. Together forever, remember?”
She purred in satisfaction at our oath.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Besides, who else am I going to talk to if you don’t come?”
Misty surrendered to my petting. I thought your fiancé. Not much of a conversationalist, is he?
My smile faded. “He doesn’t trust me.”
Well, that makes things difficult.
I set my shoulders. Having complications to solve was better than moping around the abbey. It gave me something to work toward.
“Well, Misty,” I said, lifting her into the air. “It looks like we have a long road ahead of us.”