Chapter 21 – Vale
Chapter 21
VALE
T he reindeers grunted as the sleigh eased to a stop in front of the grand gold doors of the Royal Theater.
From the moment she’d met the Winterborn creatures, their bone-white antlers large and branching like trees, Neve had seemed as enchanted as I’d been the first time I’d ridden a reindeer drawn sleigh. Horses were used for everyday riding and warfare but the noble and royal houses used white reindeer on special occasions. Ones in which we wished to make a statement. A night of theater mixed with Courting Festival Events was certainly one such occasion.
Neve leaned over me to peer out the window. Her silken hair touched the skin of my hands and sent chills down my spine. Her eyes glowed beneath the oversized faelights ringing the great domed building. “It’s so beautiful.”
The awe in her voice pulled at my heart. After hearing the news that Duran wouldn’t have the Liar’s Salvation ready in time, she’d paced until it was time to prepare for the evening. But even as she applied cosmetics, seemingly calm and still, I saw the anxiety in her every stroke of rouge and lip paint.
However, when faced with the Royal Theater and all the pomp that went with our attending the production, her worries seemed to melt away. I hoped that the show would continue to keep her anxiety at bay.
“King Einar Falk built it over a thousand turns ago,” I said, exiting the sleigh. Two Clawsguards rode reindeer on either side of our conveyance. One made to dismount and assist the princess, but I waved him off and extended my hand to help her.
“The ruler before Harald?” she asked as her hand landed in mine and she stepped down.
“His grandfather,” I corrected. “King Birger ruled before King Harald.”
“Well, it’s stunning. It looks almost new.” A gale of wind whipped by, and Neve pulled her black cloak tight around her and blinked up at the theater, made of glittering white stone. In that way, the playhouse resembled Frostveil Castle, but that was where the similarities ended. The theater was far smaller than the castle and only three stories high, with two wings reaching out from the large central dome where the plays took place. On the outside, carved in the white stone, were snowflakes, all different from their neighbor. Near the door, pixies dressed in fine attire threw their sparkling dust upon the snow and the pathway, adding to the magical ambiance .
“Mother is a patron of the arts. As was Queen Revna Falk and Queen Dagnia Falk before her. I supposed they all did their best to make sure the theater didn’t fall into disrepair.”
“They did well.” Neve shuddered as another frigid wind blew in off the sea. “But I might lose my nose to the wind if we stay outside a moment longer.”
“Imagine the fright you’d give the people if your nose simply fell into the snow.”
She chuckled, and I pressed my hand to the small of her back, guiding her up the steps and to the doors. The Clawsguards fell in line behind, quiet as ghosts. As we neared the building, two fae dressed in black uniforms opened the doors for us and bowed. The pixies throwing their sparkling dust paused too, inclining their heads.
In the foyer, hundreds of commonfae dressed in their finest attire watched our entrance, but a male usher waved to get my attention as he neared. “My prince! This way, if you please.” He gestured for us to follow. “I’ve been told that before the play, the nobles will be gathering on the third floor.”
Neve and I had hoped to time our arrival so that we wouldn’t have to socialize beforehand. There would already be enough of that at intermission. Unfortunately, it seemed we would not be spared.
I nodded. “Show us up.”
The usher cleared our way through the crowds and up the staircase. With each step, the din of the crowd below grew fainter, and soon enough we were at the top, faced with a much smaller gathering .
The families of the Sacred Eight were present, my family too, as well as a few jarls and ladies of lower houses. Not everyone who was attending the Courting Festival had been invited. Only about half, but I still thought that was quite enough. Despite being less crowded than below, the foyer was suffocating.
Each head turned and took us in. I didn’t miss when Calpurnia, my cousin on my mother’s side, scowled and pointed at Neve. She stood nearby with the young ladies from House Ithamai and House Qiren. All six appeared unimpressed by my wife. Aenesa Qiren going as far as to wrinkle her nose and turn away. I bristled. With night-dark skin, a tall, curvy figure, gleaming green eyes, and wings that were complemented by the beaded emerald dress she wore, no one could deny that Aenesa was beautiful. She’d indicated her interest in me before, but I’d always thought she had a nasty streak, and that wasn’t even taking into account her mare powers, which only added to my reluctance to get to know the female. Now a married male, I particularly did not like that she seemed inclined to insult my wife.
Neve, however, had noticed their expressions and beamed as she unfastened her black cloak embroidered with white bear paws near the golden clasp and allowed it to drop off her shoulders.
“Do you like my dress, ladies?” She swished the skirt of her royal blue gown. Though I knew almost nothing about dresses, I liked the way this one hugged her torso and the full curves of her hips and then flared out. Completing the look was a glittering sapphire and diamond tiara borrowed from Saga. I thought that Neve had never looked more like a princess.
Those in my cousin’s group said nothing until Calpurnia gave a tight nod.
“Lovely,” she replied, her lilac wings pressing tight down her back in frustration.
“Aenesa?” Neve prodded.
The Lady of House Qiren sighed and, with seemingly great effort, forced herself to look at my wife’s dress before her emerald gaze landed on me. “Does the prince like it?”
One would think that would be over now, but apparently, I’d have to make my loyalties much clearer. “I do like it. Very much. Not only does she look beautiful, but I appreciate that we match.” I gestured to my own royal blue jacket embroidered with gold thread around the wrists, as much embellishment as I’d allow.
Aenesa’s lips pursed. “I agree.It’s lovely.”
She sounded as though she were trying to speak through a mouthful of snow. I bit back a laugh.
“Thank you. It’s one of a kind.” Neve handed her cloak to a servant who appeared at her side. “Well, I believe my husband and I must do the rounds. Do enjoy the show.”
Amused by my wife’s antics, I turned to the Clawsguards, waiting to follow. “Hold watch at the perimeter.”
We swept into the room, and I leaned in close. “Calie looked like she had gryphon dung under her nose when she had to say something nice to you.”
“As did the others. And Aenesa Qiren, stars, is she mad that you’re no longer available.” The way Neve smiled up at me made my heart skip a beat. “Guess they’ll have to get used to it. I’ll fish for compliments and flaunt my handsome husband around them every chance I get.”
“Diabolical.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s take in the room.” We walked around the bulk of the crowd, stopping only when a servant offered Summer Isle wine.
I’d handed the first glass to my wife and had selected my own when Mother appeared, resplendent in a gown of gold.
“You two look lovely.” She eyed Neve’s tiara. “I suppose we shall have to get you a few of your own, my dear.”
“Saga seems to enjoy sharing. There’s no rush,” Neve replied with none of the brazenness in her voice that she’d exhibited the morning Mother learned of our marriage.
Then again, Mother was being civil too, so perhaps Neve was sensing her energy and reciprocating in kind. I appreciated that. Mother might be upset with me, but I still loved her and wanted to please her.
“I will say that the jewels in that tiara suit you.” Mother turned her attention to me. “Vale, darling, your father and Rhistel are in the family box. He wishes to speak with you before the play.”
“Ah.” I shot Neve a sidelong glance.
“I can take her.” Mother placed a gentle hand on Neve’s elbow. “I don’t believe that you’ve met some of the most influential jarls and ladies—those who head lesser houses. Have you, Neve?”
“I haven’t,” my wife replied. There was no fear in her eyes at being left alone with Mother. As she did every morning, Neve had taken the Mind Rond Saga had supplied. And if there was one thing I was certain of, it was that Neve could verbally keep up with anyone here.
“I’ll see what Father wants.” I kissed Neve on the cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Neve smiled at me, an adoring wife, and we separated. I turned and made my way down the hallway that led to the royal box, the largest, most lavish box, with the perfect view of the stage, set in the center of those of the Sacred Eight. Completing the circle around the playhouse were other boxes, less ostentatious, owned by jarls, noble ladies, and wealthy merchants.
I’d nearly reached my designation when the door to my family’s box swung open. Two Clawsguards stood outside but didn’t move a muscle, telling me that it wasn’t my father or Rhistel who were leaving. Had it been, they’d have stepped back and prepared to follow the king or heir wherever he went. I only had to wonder for a moment as to the person’s identity when Lord Riis shut the door to the box.
He brushed down his midnight black jacket and inclined his head. “Prince Vale. I see the king wishes to get quite a lot of business done before pleasure.”
“As ever.” I paused, a million questions burning inside me, but one rose to the surface above all others. “A moment of your time, Leyv? ”
He joined me, far enough away to be out of the Clawsguard’s earshot. Since seeing my mother leave Lord Riis’s suite, I’d been torn. Had they once been together? And if so, did it matter?
It wasn’t like Mother and Father had married for love—nor pretended to be a love match now. Most royal marriages weren’t like that. No, theirs was an alliance between two powerful houses that had been instrumental in the White Bear’s Rebellion. And at present, they didn’t share a bedchamber, nor had they for much of their lives. They were seen together at public functions and that was about it.
Yet, if Lord Riis and my mother had an affair while she was married to my father, that made him much less trustworthy. And I’d given him so much power over me. Over Neve. That made me uneasy.
Despite being certain that the Lord of Tongues did not possess the Ice Scepter, I had to play this with intelligence. Had to use Lord Riis to keep Neve safe. Others too . . .
“Has there been any word from Caelo?” I asked, thinking of the brother of my heart and hoping he was safe.
“They made it,” Lord Riis replied. “Everyone is safe and sound. He’s also received my message to remain there.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “Neve and I appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Lord Riis paused. “Is there anything else?”
A gleam in his eyes made me think he suspected something of me. Did he feel that the king was suspicious of him? If so, what did he think it was about?
“Nothing,” I replied. “My father is waiting for me.”
Lord Riis stepped aside. “Enjoy the show, my prince.”
We parted, and Riis’s heavy footsteps rang down the hallway, back toward the pre-show party. I rolled my shoulders back and entered my family’s box.
Large enough to seat twenty, the royal box was painted in swaths of blue and gold, House Aaberg’s colors. A selection of cheeses, fruits imported from the Summer Isles and the Elven Kingdom, breads, and cured meats were spread out on a table before the king. Three bottles of fae wine awaited, each one rare and expensive.
Below, the semi-circle playhouse spread before us, empty, the seats a royal blue. Above, the great dome was painted deep gold save for the middle, which was enchanted glass. The glass dome allowed theatergoers to take in the starlight on a clear night but didn’t allow in daylight during earlier shows. The curtain spread across the stage, a red waterfall that contrasted with all the blue.
Rhistel and Father were the only ones present, both holding goblets of wine. If I dressed to minimize embellishment, Rhistel did the opposite. He, too, wore Aaberg royal blue with gold embroidery, though his gold artistry covered his entire jacket as well as the tunic beneath. His pants were simpler but clearly made of fine fabric. Father also wore our house colors though his sense of style lay somewhere in between mine and my twin’s, a regal, slightly understated balance .
“About time,” Father said when he saw me. “Take a seat.”
Rhistel said nothing, just looked out over the seats below and at the stage. That suited me as well as it did him.
“Now,” Father said after I settled into my seat next to my brother. “Have you seen anything of note since we last spoke about the Scepter? Rhistel?”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees to better see Father.
“Not a thing. I even had a drink with Lord Balik as you requested, Father. He seemed normal, as did his magic.”
I arched an eyebrow. “You had Rhistel questioning Tadgh Balik?”
Father gave a single nod. “I’m considering wedding him to one of the older daughters of the southlands. His pick.”
I thought of Baenna and Eireann, the eldest daughters and most likely to be considered for such a match. They were Saga’s close friends, but as they were also Sian’s sisters, I’d spoken with both many times over the turns too. Though both ladies were not too young, around twenty-five turns, and well educated, which Rhistel valued, I couldn’t picture either of the Balik ladies with my brother.
Then again, I couldn’t imagine my brother married to anyone . He didn’t invite that sort of union. The Courting Season we had held not long ago had proven that.
Differing from a Courting Festival in the sense that during a Season, Rhistel held all the power, but he had stupidly used that power to choose no bride. During the current Festival, however, Father held the power over who would marry who. Not just for his own children, either, but for the entire kingdom.
Save me, of course, though I wasn’t about to rub that in when the king was not being negative about Neve. At the moment, anyhow.
“I was going to bind you to one of the Balik ladies, Vale,” Father added, likely noticing that I was deep in thought. “After all, their house heir is your squire, so you’re already bound to the rulers of the southlands. Tightening that knot seemed wise . . . lucrative . . . but then you took matters into your own hands and upended my plans.” He snorted. “Alas, I’d rather have the Baliks in my grasp than not.”
“Because you think they hold the Ice Scepter? Or other reasons?” I asked.
Rhistel rolled his eyes. “Do you really care, brother?”
“Of course I do. Why would you assume otherwise?”
He turned his gaze on me, a twin to my own. “You’ve been so preoccupied with your bride; I figured that matters of our house mean little to you.”
I swallowed. My brother and I had many differences. At times, I flat-out despised him. But looking into his eyes, I could tell that this was a rare instance where he was being real—vulnerable. He wished for me to care about our house, and in a way he was right. I’d done a poor job of showing that in the last week.
“I care,” I assured him. “And I’m sorry that now the responsibility of securing alliances falls on you and Saga. I do not regret marrying Neve, but I regret that you have even less choice than before.”
For a moment, my twin stared at me until his face relaxed and a slight smile bloomed. “I suppose I could do worse than a Balik wife. They are both quite attractive.”
“As if that matters.” Father frowned. “Alliances do not require attraction. That’s what harems and whores are for. Now, back to the matter at hand. If Tadgh Balik is showing no signs of deceit, nor a marked increase in power, then we shall move on to Lord Riis. I still have reasons to suspect him.”
“I have been dying to know what those are, Father,” I said. “Truth be told, I see none, and he doesn’t even have the bloodline to use the Hallow.” I nodded to the door. “Not to mention, he was just in our box. So you trust him in some regards?”
“Should I not speak to my spider, that would only raise red flags,” Father replied. “Plus, he is handy. Lord Riis is trying to find Warden Roar for me.”
“And?” I pressed.
“No sightings. He has not retreated to Guldtown. Nor has anyone spotted him on the Queen’s Road.”
“The storms have been bad,” I mused. “Perhaps he’s holed up in a small inn?”
“Or he has found Riis’s spies and paid them off,” Rhistel added. “Do not dismiss the depths of House Lisika’s pocketbooks.”
Never. The great house of the western territory had always been the wealthiest in Winter’s Realm. Their mines supplied much of the kingdom’s gold and, though they’d been mining them for centuries, never seemed to run dry.
“So what of Lord Riis?” I circled back to my previous question. “What makes you suspect him? After all, he lives in Avaldenn.” To my knowledge, Leyv hadn’t visited his own castle in the east in over a turn. “And regularly attends court at Frostveil. Why are you suspicious?”
“His sons,” Father replied. “Over the turns that I’d known him, I’ve noticed no power difference in Leyv. However, his eldest bastard-born grows ever stronger. Lord Riis might groom his son to use the Scepter.”
Luccan was more powerful than two turns back, but now that I knew he was a gatekeeper, I thought it more likely he was extending his magic in that way.
“Are you saying that they have winter magic?” Rhistel asked.
Father shrugged a single shoulder. “We don’t know who Luccan’s mother is, it’s not unrealistic to think that she’s a Falk bastard and has a thread of winter magic in her blood. The Cold King sired bastards before his trueborn children. His father before him sired even more.”
From what I’d heard of the Falk king, that was true. He hadn’t married right away when he took the crown, and he had his own father’s harem at his disposal. It was only when he married Queen Revna that the Cold King stopped sleeping around and visiting his harem. But by then, there were white-haired younglings all around Avaldenn, each of their mothers claiming they were of royal blood.
Calder Falk, my father’s own sire, had only added to that proliferation of Falk bastards. Though I wasn’t about to mention that. Talking of Calder Falk was always touchy with Father.
“Lord Riis has always been secretive about who birthed his bloody bastards ,” the king added.
“Luccan is now a true Riis,” I said, annoyed that he kept emphasizing that word. Like many at court, Father still thought of the Riis brothers as bastards, but it was no longer true. “You legitimized him. Arie and Thantrel too.”
“Only to hold sway over Lord Riis for the Festival. Still, that decision could prove more fruitful than I ever imagined. It has allowed me to observe Leyv’s sons. Mark my words, there is something off about Luccan Riis. I want eyes on him, and Vale will do it. You’re already close to him, are you not?”
My stomach tightened. I should have seen this coming. Of course, Father would use my connection to Luccan to his benefit.
“Very well,” I said, not about to argue when we were all being civil.
I wasn’t entirely sure about Lord Riis or where his loyalties lay, but I was absolutely certain that Luccan had nothing to do with the Ice Scepter. I’d have to find some way to prove my friend’s innocence.
“Good.” Father took a long sip of wine. “Now that we’ve covered everything, I’m prepared to make more matches before this bleeding play starts.” He looked at me. “Tell the Clawsguards at the door to have the ushers open the playhouse.”
I did as he requested and minutes later, Mother and Saga appeared. Vidar walked arm in arm with my sister. He inclined his head in greeting, which I returned. Neve walked through the door after them. My pulse quickened.
I held out my hand. “How was it without me?”
She came closer, pressed her lips to my cheek, and kissed it, then whispered, “Fine. Your mother really did introduce me to people. Perhaps she’s making amends?”
Perhaps. I trusted Mother more than Father, but I underestimated neither. Mother might simply be watching my new wife, looking for a weakness to exploit that could rip apart our union.
She said she wanted me happy, but I’d always thought she really meant she wanted me happy as long as she approved.
“Come,” I said. “We’re in the front.”
We took our seats. Mine next to Rhistel, and Neve on my other side, by Saga, who, since my marriage, had been moved down one seat. Not that my sister minded. If anything, she appeared delighted to have Neve at her side to gossip with.
“Oh look! That’s Avalina Truso!” Saga pointed to the stage where a willowy dryad with long green hair pulled aside the heavy red curtain and peeked out to wave at someone in the crowd. “I hope she sings in this play. Wait until you hear her voice. It’s divine! And, oh stars alive!” She gasped as a male faerie with wings nearly as dark as my own joined Avalina at the curtain. The pair shared a jest and began laughing, as did those in the crowd who could hear them. “Neve, that’s Neris Ibold! All the ladies are half in love with him. ”
Happy to let them gossip, I tuned them out. The fae on the lower levels entered the playhouse and took their seats. Fae from all walks of life attended the theater, and they all shared an air of excitement. It warmed my heart to see my people living a life they loved.
Some in the villages, the same people I’d often had to protect from attacks, weren’t so lucky. They didn’t have the safety of the city but found themselves victims of orcs and goblins and other dark creatures that came down from the mountains and out of the deep woods, seeking easier food sources. To take the village’s food because the mountains had become too harsh. And as long as the Ice Scepter was lost and the magic of Winter’s Realm spiraled, those same village people would continue to grow more vulnerable.
Perhaps even those in this room too. If it got cold enough, so many would die.
But on this night, we were together and warm and safe. We were indulging in our culture and laughing. I eyed my wife sidelong, feeling lucky to be here, especially with her.
Once the theater filled, trumpets blared, and my father stood. He addressed the crowd below, as well as the nobles in their boxes. Lord Riis and his sons had joined us in ours—the favored few. Or those that Father wished to keep a close eye on.
“Tonight,” Father’s voice boomed, “I have five more matches to make, and all of you lucky fae will bear witness.”
Below, many gasped, delighted to be included in the Courting Festival in some small way. In the other boxes, the nobles who would be affected had mixed reactions. Some wore looks of excitement, while others appeared hesitant.
Father’s eyes gleamed and a charismatic smile crossed his face as a hand swept down and to the right. “So without further ado, the matches are Jarl Xandri Ra and Lady Yulandia of House Polia.”
Two members of lesser noble houses based in the east, bannerfae to House Ithamai. Father continued to rattle off names, ending in five matches, and finally the tension in my shoulders eased. The crowd clapped for the newly betrothed.
Father named no Sacred Eight, none of my friends—no one who had witnessed my wedding to Neve. The matched couples even looked pleased.
Father too. No doubt those matches would benefit our house, though I wasn’t sure how, but Father always had a plan.
“Now,” the king proclaimed, lifting his glass. “Let the play begin.”