Chapter 16 Ryder
RYDER
The scent of breads, pastries, and other baked goods filled the cool morning air. A line of people trailed my escort and grew with every turn as we wound through the capital. Many people smiled, but several eyed me accusingly.
“We’re stopping here.” I pulled back the reins and looked at Maris. “Join me in mingling among the square?”
“I can’t think of a single place I’d rather be.” She offered a gentle smile and waited.
I hadn’t expected to get close to the woman, but with Audryn gone and my feelings for her receding significantly, it was a pleasant surprise.
The bond still lay buried, but it was only a trickle rather than the raging river I felt before she’d left.
I’d need to reconnect with her, but I would at least enjoy the company of another in the meantime.
My needs shouldn’t be forced to go unfulfilled while she was busy with her own obligations.
I swung a leg over the saddle, letting my weight settle into the right stirrup as I dismounted.
But as I moved, so did my seat. The leather twisted, and before I could step out of the loop, my saddle slid to the side, causing me to fall with it.
With a swift thump, I landed on the ground as my boot remained hung up in the metal bar of the stirrup.
My guards hurried to my aid, which only amplified my embarrassment. Maris, thankfully, pretended to busy herself with her own dismount and not add to my humiliation. The murmurs among the crowd made my skin heat as I cleared my boot from its captor.
I scrambled to my feet and tilted the saddle upright to inspect the tack properly.
Rarely was I in charge of keeping my horse adequately equipped; the stable hand was always thorough with the task.
My confidence stuttered upon discovering the girth was notched looser than where it normally rested.
A faded line of leather near the smaller notch showed the mistake.
“Are you injured?” Hunt grew close. “Shall we return to the castle and seek a healer?”
I pushed the guard away. “Maris”—I extended my arm out to her—“let’s walk.”
The crowd of people parted and bowed low as we leisurely strolled around the market square. I expected people to approach, but all remained at a distance.
Across the square, I found the familiar face of Audryn’s friend.
He reacted with more surprise than before, locking his gaze on where my arm linked with Maris's.
I untangled myself and crossed the area briskly while Maris followed close at my side.
I needed to speak with Benton. A simple conversation with a commoner would show the people just how approachable I was.
“Prince Sutton.” Benton dipped into a weak bow, keeping his stare on the woman at my side.
“How’s business?” I ignored the disrespect. “Anything on your cart you’d recommend? My chef is always looking to refresh our menu.”
“Likely nothing to your taste,” he said, eyeing Maris. “Where’s Audryn? I have yet to see her return home.”
“She’s away,” Maris offered. “She—”
“Is attending to other matters,” I interrupted. “Audryn’s very busy now that she has accepted my proposal.”
“And yet you’re still here.” He glared at Maris. “How unfortunate for the prince.”
She gasped with a hand over her chest and drew her attention to me, hoping I’d step in. But knowing Audryn, her friends likely shared her imprudence. It wouldn’t be worth arguing in front of so many, especially when collective views might be swayed so easily.
“Those look decent. I’ll take one.” I pointed to a long roll of bread on the barely filled cart. “Actually, give me two.”
Benton selected two rolls and placed them into a sack. I pulled out enough coins to buy his entire inventory and left them on the little shelf. My generosity would quell any ill feelings the others might have toward me.
“With so much to spare, perhaps you can also share the crude we’ve been prohibited from purchasing,” a chubby man snapped from a cart filled with candles.
“Unless he can grow fins and swim to the bottom of the sea, that won't be happening,” a woman in the crowd teased.
The attack on our ship was supposed to be kept secret, yet somehow word had spread. If commoners doubted my ability to secure imports, they’d most definitely question my ability to rule. I swallowed hard, wondering just how many details had gotten out.
“Sounds like a no,” a voice answered for me, followed by an echo of murmurs.
I looked around at the whispering crowd.
“Our prince has called the fae from Pontara to assist with the retrieval of the barrels,” Maris offered. “Let’s not condemn him for such an unforeseen attack, and instead offer gratitude for his swift response.”
Some of the crowd nodded, providing me with a few moments to gather my thoughts. If Maris also knew about the debacle, that meant my staff was gossiping too. Disgruntled employees would do little good in defending my position if I were challenged. The guards could turn on me as well.
“When will the crude be available for purchase?” a man asked.
I’d expected the fifty barrels from Kuroden to arrive any day now, but we needed them for the castle. I could do as Maris stated and speak with Queen Hayes. The fae born from Pontara had water-shifting magic, allowing them to dive to the ocean floor without needing a single breath.
“Soon,” I offered, adding the task to the growing list of things to deal with later.
“When?” a voice called out somewhere in the substantial crowd.
“Why bother our prince with matters of business when he has come to meet each of you?” Maris gestured a gentle hand out. “I’m sure you would like to speak with Prince Sutton, so let’s not be wasteful with the time he has given from his full schedule.”
For the next hour, Maris and I spoke with the crowd. Her voice remained an unwavering support at my side, and the few times my words became knotted, she stepped in. Mothers spoke of their children, men touted their endeavors, and others stood at the side merely observing.
As the hour neared its close, I’d met my limit and restlessly shifted on my feet looking for a way out. Maris was quick to notice.
“Apologies for interrupting, but I need to rest.” Maris kept her voice loud enough for those in the immediate vicinity to hear. “I hope you can forgive me. It has been a joy to speak with all of you.”
My gaze swept over the crowd and I offered a wave. “It has been a pleasure, and I look forward to speaking with more of you in the future.”
Until that day, I hadn’t understood why my father avoided public appearances.
But as we rode away and my shoulders slumped, things made more sense.
If Leanna hadn’t scheduled the meeting with Maris’s father, I would’ve returned to the castle and snuck away to my bedroom to rest. But with the second leg of the ride in silence, it was enough to offer me the mental intermission I needed.
My stomach dipped as I looked toward the single-story, sprawling estate behind the iron gate.
Normally I wouldn’t be anxious, but with my reputation among the capital in shambles, I needed the man on my side.
His voice might be loud enough to turn the tide in my favor, and I had to tread carefully, especially once he learned that I’d chosen to marry someone other than his daughter.
“We shall secure the residence first,” Hunt advised as he pulled open the gate.
“No.” I motioned the guard back. “The Faldors are known to my family and I will not treat them with suspicion.”
The guard’s brow creased.
“Do you think you’ll discover a member of the resistance hiding within?” I let out a boisterous laugh. “Stand down, Guard Hunt. Though I appreciate your dedication, you can relax for a moment. Keep the perimeter secure if that makes you feel useful.”
I offered Maris an arm before continuing up the packed dirt path. She gladly accepted and placed a hand on my bicep. We strolled up, the heat of the sun high above. I was in no rush to take part in the game I’d need to play in order to secure my future.
The estate was situated at the edge of the capital, giving the residence miles of rolling hills at its posterior. Though not nobles, the family retained rights over more property than some lords in Rivale. What they maintained in their family line was impressive, and it would all be left to Maris.
Before we reached the steps, the front door opened. An attendant greeted us with a bow and offered to take my coat, but I declined. The conversation would be casual, but I wouldn't let her parents forget my title.
“Prince Sutton.” A blonde man dipped his chin from the entryway. “Had I known you were coming, my wife would have been present.” His attention shifted. “Maris.”
“Father.” Her tone was icy—so different from the way she spoke to me.
“Shall we sit?” the man offered.
I followed him into the common room and took a seat on the long yellow sofa. The material was plush velvet, and a large multicolored rug lay under it. Two matching wide chairs with thick arms sat across. Maris started to sit beside me, but her father interjected.
“Perhaps you should busy yourself with other tasks?” He’d made it sound like a suggestion, but even I knew it was a command.
On cue, she flitted out of the room, leaving her father and me to ourselves. He cleared his throat and took a seat across from me. We sat in silence for a full minute, staring at one another. I knew what I wanted to say, but struggled with the words.
“I know why you’re here,” the man started.
My stomach eased.
“You’re here to ask for my blessing so that you may marry my daughter.”
Dread filled my body. “Mister Faldor …”
He gestured with a hand. “Call me Levi.”
“Levi.” I cleared my throat. “I’m here on another matter, actually.”
An attendant in the corner shuffled uneasily on his feet.
“I have asked another woman for her hand in marriage.” I thrummed my fingers on the arm of the couch.
“And you have come to notify me of this? Seems quite unnecessary even for a Sutton.” My name sounded like it was milk that had gone bad. “Were you unhappy with her demeanor? She can be rough around the edges at times, and she’s not very smart. But she is okay on the eyes and with proper guidance—”
“No, that’s not it.” I shook off his comments as I would if he’d been my father. “I have found my mated, and she is who I will marry.”
Saying the words had sounded like a lie, though I knew it was impossible. Were I not there when Elowen set the bond into place, I wouldn’t have believed in its existence.
“So what are your intentions with my daughter if not to marry? Will you be parading her around and stealing her youth until you’ve found another to keep in the shadows? Does your betrothed not have the ability to provide an heir, so you must take Maris’s future from her?”
“N—No.” The word stuttered on my tongue.
“Then what is it? Are you hand delivering her back to me?”
I blew out a breath to slow the conversation. It hadn’t started as I’d hoped, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d do more damage than good. I wasn’t even sure what my intentions with Maris were. Having her around had brought me the consistent comfort so badly missing from my relationship with Audryn.
“As you are aware, my father is ill.” I hesitated. “What you may or may not know is that his life is nearing its end.”
“Continue,” Levi grunted. “Ask for what it is you want from me.”
I swallowed and glanced around for wine, water, or any beverage that could quench my dry throat, but came up empty. “Your support. With my father’s imminent death, I would like to strengthen ties with the people. And it is my understanding that you represent the people of the capital.”
He let out an approving hum.
It was the sign I needed, so I ran with it. “You have built a powerful presence in the area, and the people look up to you. Your daughter looks up to you. It would be my privilege to gain support from such a prominent figure.”
“And my daughter—”
“I cannot change my decision on who the land has given me,” I said. “What I can offer her is a life with my wife and me. Not in the shadows, but at our side.” The offer slipped through my lips without giving any thought. “She can act as an emissary to all women who cross the castle gates.”
“I would like grandchildren.” Levi negotiated.
“Done. I am healthy and will provide you with such immediately after I am given an heir from my wife.” I threw out a hand, offering to seal the deal. “She will be provided monetary compensation for her position—your family will be provided compensation.”
“I would like financial backing for our neighbor’s property in order to extend our land.” He looked at my hand and then up at me.
I exhaled. Taking the land of others, even if purchased, was rarely acceptable—especially when the buyer already had a surplus of property. But I couldn’t risk losing the connection, especially when the people were so fickle in their opinions.
“Done,” I replied, and our hands shook. “I am having a gathering of nobles in a week and expect you to be in attendance. My sister will send the details.”