Chapter 13
The next morning began much the same as the day before, with Runa waking me with a tray of breakfast.
After devouring the contents of the tray, I dressed while relaying the events of my evening to her. I didn’t mention my flirtation with the prince or my less-than-pleasant experience with Oriane, although it didn’t escape my notice that the maid’s lips became a thin line when I mentioned her name.
“Are you familiar with Lady Oriane?” I asked carefully. I was seated before the mirror while she braided my hair into a coronet.
“I am.” A pause, and then, “I know her by face only.”
“She is beautiful.”
“She is, but…” She trailed off uncomfortably.
“But what?” I kept my tone nonchalant.
In the mirror, I could see the maid biting her lip. “I don’t want to speak out of turn, but Lady Oriane is known amongst the servants to be one of the more… demanding residents of the castle. They say she seeks a betrothal with Prince Tarben.”
I knew it! I would have to be a simpleton not to have noticed how she had flirted with him, how she had touched his shoulder as if discreetly claiming him.
“And how does the prince feel?” I asked, studying myself in the mirror as though I were not burning with curiosity.
“I hear the prince does not return her affection. Although they say the king has been pressuring him to select a bride.”
At least Oriane was not a threat. “Does he have his eye on anyone?”
“It’s doubtful, Miss. His Highness is known to,” she paused, searching for the right words, “enjoy the company of beautiful ladies, but he’s not publicly courted anyone.”
Until now. So the prince wasn’t one to engage in the formalities of courtship. Neither was I. And I certainly hadn’t been in love.
That wasn’t to say I was lacking in experience when it came to males.
I’d had my flirtations and a string of lovers, but nothing that lasted more than a few weeks.
That was the amount of time it took for my interest to wane, no matter how attractive the male was.
The problem was, ending things was always so unpleasant, especially with the two mermen who had proposed to me.
They’d taken it the hardest. Although it shouldn’t have come as a shock—I’d made no secret of the fact that I was not interested in anything serious.
The idea of being tethered to another was not appealing. Not when my endless years meant I would spend centuries—millennia—having to gaze at the same face every day. I’d sooner kiss a blobfish.
I had reached the conclusion that I wasn’t capable of romantic love, but it didn’t bother me.
Falling in love did not seem to bode well for the females in my family.
My mother’s fate was evidence of that. She had given up everything for love and was rewarded with a visit from death and a child she would never know.
So I gave my heart to no one and spared myself the kiss of death and the chains of devotion. A fair bargain I made with myself, and one I’d upheld without exception.
All that being said, Tarben had met his match in me. Maybe Oriane could be the one to offer him comfort once I was finished with him.
I met her eye in the mirror. “I won’t repeat a word of what you’ve told me, I swear it.” Her shoulders relaxed.
Once she had secured the final pin in my hair, I said, “I promised I would join Lady Livia for tea. Could you inquire if she is available today?”
Her eyes widened. “Certainly. And if you don’t mind me saying so, I’m pleased to hear that you are making friends. The castle can be a lonely place.”
I was not here to make friends but I certainly couldn’t have a twelve-year-old girl as my only ally at Cliffcrest Castle. Besides, I quite enjoyed Livia’s company.
Runa returned shortly afterwards with a message that Livia was indisposed. A shame—I would have to find another way to fill my day.
My disappointment didn’t last long; good news arrived shortly afterwards in the form of a note.
Dear Alara,
Ulf cordially invites you to accompany him for a leisurely stroll this afternoon.
Please grant him the pleasure of your company. If not, I fear his gentle heart would be sorely disappointed.
He eagerly anticipates your reply.
Your Faithful Chaperone,
Tarben
He was charming, I’d give him that.
I instructed Runa to send word to Tarben that I accepted his invitation. The prospect of my impending afternoon with the prince sent her into a tailspin. She vigorously raided the armoire, declared that nothing was suitable, then left to hunt down the perfect piece.
An hour later, she returned with an exceptional candidate.
Carefully, she helped me slip into the sage green brocade gown with intricately woven floral patterns.
Once the torturous act of securing the bodice was complete, she tied a matching green ribbon around my waist, forming a bow.
The effect was both feminine and flattering.
When it was time to leave, she helped me into a fine woolen cloak, its green hue so dark it was almost black. “Have a wonderful time, Miss,” she said, tying its ribbon fastening.
“I’m sure I will,” I said with one final appraisal of my reflection in the mirror.
Today I looked sweet and innocent—like a doll.
Unsurprisingly, the outfit brought out the green in my eyes.
Runa had a real talent for dressing and styling.
Maybe, once the curse was broken, I could convince her to come work at Vellamere Palace.
She’d be the only mortal in Vantillios, but that hardly mattered with a talent like hers.
“And if I don’t, I’ll just sit in the bathtub and gorge myself on Cook’s chocolate cake. ”
When her face fell, I quickly added, “A joke, Runa. It was a joke.” Mostly.
I would be lying if I said I was completely calm.
I was uncomfortably aware of the heightened thud of my heartbeat against my ribs, the sudden dryness of my mouth, and my quickened breaths.
Everything rested on this afternoon. Apparently, my body needed to remind me how important the next few hours would be.
Regardless of how I was feeling, I would wear my mask of composed confidence. I never let it slip, not even in front of Mae at times. My grandmother had trained me well in that regard.
I relaxed my features and sculpted my mouth into a gentle smile. The face I wore at court.
With my head held high, I took a deep breath and walked out the door.
***
By the time I reached the entrance hall, Tarben was already waiting with Ulf. The moment his eyes fell on me, his face brightened with a smile—unrestrained and warm. Ulf didn’t hold back either and advanced on me before I could utter a word of greeting.
“Afternoon,” Tarben said, his gaze never wavering from me. “You look incredible. And he agrees with me.” He inclined his head at the dog who was sniffing and pawing at me with enthusiasm.
“I think he’s hoping that I’m hiding a stick,” I said, scratching Ulf’s ears.
“I’d be impressed if you were.” His eyes roamed appreciatively down my gown.
“I’m sorry to disappoint,” I responded, palms raised.
Grinning, he held out the crook of his arm for me. “The only thing that disappoints me is that I couldn’t see you earlier. My father had me tied up in discussions with his advisers all morning.”
Accepting his arm, I said, “Sounds boring.” I knew all too well how punishing those meetings could be.
He huffed a laugh. “You have no idea. Fortunately for me, my day just got infinitely better.” His blue-green eyes fixated on mine.
Pretty words from the prince. It was my turn to laugh. “Are you this shameless a flirt with every woman in the kingdom?”
He clutched his chest like he was wounded. “I’m hurt you think so little of me.”
We stepped outside and were promptly greeted by the chill in the air. Unused to the cold, my body shivered involuntarily. I was glad for my extra layers and cloak, as well as the warm body on my arm. The fact that he was good looking was no hardship either.
“Apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t realize it would be so easy to wound the future king of Solvardunn.”
“She’s as brutal as she is beautiful,” he said, cocking his head to the side to study me.
“Some might call it brash to say such things to the future king,” I said, biting back a smile. I knew he enjoyed my teasing.
“No,” he said, stopping in his tracks. “Please don’t ever tiptoe around me. Only tell me the truth—I’d like to know what’s on your mind.” He quirked an eyebrow expectantly.
I could have rolled my eyes at his naivety.
People always said they wanted the truth but so rarely could they face it when it was given freely.
Complete honesty at all times was an idealistic fantasy.
In practice, it would only cause more harm than good.
Absolute transparency could be a betrayal, and there were some truths that should never see the light of day.
In my experience, being completely truthful was rarely beneficial to me.
I was of the belief that, in most cases, little lies were far better for all parties involved.
I kept my tone airy as I asked, “And if it’s not flattering to His Highness?”
“Then I ask that you tell me so I can convince you otherwise,” he said with a cocky grin.
I had to admit, I found his self-assuredness extremely attractive. “As you wish. Only the truth,” I lied.
He looked pleased as we approached the gardens.
Autumn really suited the grounds and complimented the castle’s rustic ambiance.
Rowan and crabapple trees were ablaze with shades of ochre, rust and vermilion.
Flagstones carved out a winding pathway among wooden arches, trees, herbs, and flowerbeds with blooms I couldn’t name.
The herbs, on the other hand, I instantly recognized as lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage and mint.
Doran grew these, and more, in the greenhouse.
“Good. We can start with you telling me one true thing about yourself,” he said with a sly smile.