Chapter 6
As dawn approached on their last day at sea, Aisha stood at the ship’s bow, watching the distant peaks of Gruisea take shape on the horizon.
They rose sharp and blue, and she felt a mix of relief and apprehension.
It was to be her new home, yet she didn’t know anyone there, except for Tariq.
She had never met the king or queen but suspected they were like every king and queen before them.
They were there to do a job and happy to sacrifice members of their family in order to uphold the institution.
Why else would they marry their only daughter off at the tender age of sixteen?
At least Zara had let them all grow up first. Yasmin was sixteen, and Aisha couldn’t imagine her as a bride, as someone’s wife. She was still very much a child, and they were all happy for her to remain one for as long as possible.
Aisha glanced right to where Tariq stood further down, looking out at the same view. They had barely exchanged more than a few polite words since the storm. When he looked in her direction, she quickly looked away. To her surprise, he wandered over to join her.
‘Almost there,’ he said, stopping a few feet from her. His gaze fell to her gloved hands resting on the rail. ‘Are you that cold?’
She looked down. ‘It’s a lot colder than in Avanid.’ In truth, she was terrified of skin-to-skin contact on the day she would be meeting the King and Queen of Gruisea. The last thing she needed was another vision.
Tariq let the subject go.
They stood together in silence for the final hour of the journey. Aisha told herself it was a good thing that they didn’t need to fill it with polite conversation. ‘Companionable silence,’ her mother had called it. That sounded much more palatable than ‘having nothing to say’.
Gruisea’s coastline was a stark contrast to Avanid’s, with its imposing cliffs towering over churning waves. Mist curled around the base of the cliffs, where the water struck in angry bursts. It had its own natural fortress.
A hawk circled in the sky above, its dark silhouette gliding effortlessly. It was different to the elegant falcons back home. Larger, more primal.
‘Thoughts so far?’ Tariq asked.
Her gaze went to the patches of green clinging to the cliff sides. ‘It’s beautiful.’
‘Nature can be a little stark and unyielding here,’ he said, ‘but you get used to it.’
That was reassuring.
The sea in the harbour was much calmer than any other parts. Fishermen were out in their boats, casting nets. Dockhands waited to secure the ship, calling out to the crew as they prepared to guide it to a safe berth. Ropes were tossed, and the ship appeared to creak in protest as it was reined in.
Aisha held tightly to her one bag as she waited to disembark.
‘Don’t worry, Your Highness,’ Kaidon told her as he walked by, ‘your exit should be far less eventful than your entry.’
She crinkled her nose. ‘That’s a relief.’
She followed Tariq down the gangway, exhaling when her feet met the dock. However, the relief she felt was short-lived. Soon after her feet touched solid ground, she felt said ground sway beneath her. It was as though the tide had followed her ashore. She gripped her bag, her stomach rolling.
A glance over his shoulder had Tariq stopping to observe her for a moment. ‘I see you haven’t got your land legs yet.’
She blinked, trying to comprehend what she was hearing. ‘That’s because I’ve been busy getting my sea legs.’
He took the bag from her. ‘As far as your body’s concerned, you’re still at sea. It might feel as though the land’s moving for a while.’
‘Oh, perfect.’ She looked around at everyone else, seeing no problems. ‘Just me, then?’
Amusement flashed in Tariq’s eyes. ‘We’re used to sea travel. Do you think you can make it to the horses?’
Horses? She cried inwardly. Hadn’t she been punished enough?
As if reading her mind, Tariq said, ‘It’s just a short ride to the castle.’
She thanked the gods for that.
They made their way over to the waiting horses, and Aisha went straight to the smallest one. The saddle had a crest imprinted on it: a hawk gripping a miner’s pick and hammer. She traced a finger over the hawk’s wings. ‘I thought Gruisea’s crest bore swords.’
Tariq and Kaidon exchanged a glance before Tariq said, ‘It was recently changed.’ He mounted his horse. ‘You’ll ride with me.’
She was about to insist that she was fine to ride solo, but then the ground swayed, so she kept quiet.
Tariq rode up beside her, extending a hand. She took it, and he pulled her up onto his horse as if she were a bag of wheat.
‘Hold on,’ he said.
They rode at a gentle trot along a winding road that skirted the coastline before turning inland.
The path wove through pine trees, where shafts of sunlight broke through, creating wild patterns.
They emerged at the base of a slope, and when they reached the top, Aisha could see the entire city below.
‘Chaldea,’ Tariq said, stopping their horse so she could take in the view. He pointed. ‘And Azura Castle.’
The castle was built back from the clifftop, its dark stone turrets and high walls blending with the rocky terrain. Blue banners with the hawk insignia lifted in the breeze. The rest of the city was variations of brown and grey. No colour.
The horse moved forwards again.
As they descended into the city, the streets narrowed into winding lanes.
Market stalls sagged under meagre displays.
Wilted vegetables and neutral-coloured cloth.
Children ran about in threadbare tunics.
Their mothers called to them, wrangling them in while dropping into hurried bows.
People stopped what they were doing to acknowledge the prince, but it seemed more polite than excited.
Aisha recalled her time in Orinthia as a child, the way people’s faces lit up at the sight of the royal family. It had been a long time since she had ridden through open streets. The whole empire had changed since then.
She made a point of smiling at anyone who met her gaze, but they responded only with suspicion. It was fair enough. She was a stranger sitting on the back of the prince’s horse, and she looked like death warmed up. She probably looked like his prisoner.
As they approached the gates, Aisha saw the tension settle in Tariq’s shoulders. That took her from nervous to terrified. Were his parents expecting him to return with a bride? And even if they knew, they would most definitely be scrutinising his choice.
The guards at the gate swiftly opened them when they saw Tariq. The inner courtyard came into view, busy with attendants and a few elaborately dressed men who watched their arrival with curiosity. He stopped the horse, and a groom appeared to help Aisha down.
Tariq dismounted soon after. ‘I think it best I meet with the king and queen privately before introducing you.’
That answered her earlier question. At least it would give her a chance to freshen up. ‘Where should I wait?’
Before Tariq had a chance to answer, a well-dressed man with neat greying hair strode into the courtyard, his gaze immediately locking on Aisha.
‘That was quick,’ Kaidon said under his breath.
Aisha tried not to look as scared as she felt.
The man stopped in front of the prince, bowing. ‘Welcome home, Your Highness.’
‘Thank you.’ Tariq gestured to Aisha. ‘May I present Princess Aisha of Avanid.’
The man appeared to freeze for a moment before bowing again. ‘Welcome to Azura Castle, Your Highness.’
‘Thank you,’ she said.
‘Numair is the castle’s steward,’ Tariq explained.
‘I see.’ She could already tell the man had more opinions about Tariq’s guest than was appropriate for his rank. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’
He bowed his head slightly, then looked at Tariq. ‘The king and queen are waiting for you in the garden.’
Tariq looked in the direction of the main castle. ‘Of course they are.’
‘And your guest,’ he added.
Kaidon coughed, then pressed a hand to his chest. ‘Excuse me.’
Tariq let out a long exhale. ‘I guess we’ll go straight into introductions, then.’
It was clear by his expression that he didn’t have a choice in the matter.
They made their way through a series of arched corridors that opened to a garden.
Colour at last. The space was meticulously maintained, filled with flowers and shaded by olive trees.
A marble fountain trickled softly in the centre.
The king and queen were seated at a table to the right of it.
They looked up when they heard people approaching.
Queen Farrah’s gaze swept slowly over Aisha, pausing on her gown, unpinned hair, the shadows beneath her eyes. Her expression tightened at the edges, lips pressing into a line that said more than words ever could.
King Hamza rose, extending his hand to his son. Tariq walked over to him, kissing the back of it, then touching his forehead to it. Hamza didn’t extend his hand to Aisha.
‘And who is this with you?’ Farrah asked, still staring at her.
Tariq stepped back. ‘This is Princess Aisha of Avanid.’
Still, the king didn’t extend his hand. Silence settled like a noose.
‘She will be staying with us here at the castle,’ Tariq added.
Farrah didn’t so much as blink. ‘Why?’
Hamza waited for Tariq’s reply with a confused look on his face.
‘Perhaps we could let the princess settle in and discuss this later,’ Tariq said.
‘I would rather discuss it now,’ Farrah replied coolly.
Aisha felt very hot in the gloves suddenly.
Tariq took a moment to gather his words. ‘We’re exploring the possibility of a future together.’
Aisha’s eyebrows pinched together at his choice of phrasing.
‘Out of the question.’ Farrah spoke each word with precision.
Tariq pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘Mother—’
‘We told you before you departed that we have a suitable prospect in mind,’ Hamza said.
Aisha felt her seasickness returning. Or was it land sickness? She looked at Tariq. ‘Is that true?’
His hand fell to his side. ‘I never agreed to it.’
‘You do not have the privilege of disagreeing,’ Farrah fired back.
The king gestured for calm.
Aisha drew a breath, but there didn’t seem to be enough air in the garden.
‘Fine,’ Tariq said. ‘If you insist on doing this now—with an audience. Princess Aisha comes to Gruisea with the strength and wisdom necessary for the changes I envision.’
‘You envision?’ Hamza said, his voice dropping dangerously. ‘You do not rule this kingdom yet, son.’
‘But I will one day,’ Tariq replied.
For a long moment, the only sound was the trickle of the fountain.
The queen turned her attention back to Aisha. ‘What is your age?’
‘Twenty-one.’
Farrah gave her a disapproving look before focusing on Tariq again. ‘When you suggested we strengthen our relations with Avanid, this was not what we envisioned.’
Aisha sucked in a breath, prompting everyone to look at her. ‘Should I go, perhaps?’
Farrah raised her chin slightly. ‘If you cannot handle uncomfortable conversations, then you really should not be here.’
‘Enough,’ Tariq said quietly.
Hamza took over the lecture. ‘Do you honestly think we did not explore every option for you?’ He paused for effect. ‘That we did not thoroughly research every eligible woman within the empire for the future King of Gruisea?’
‘I don’t doubt it,’ Tariq said, ‘but I must have a say in the future of this kingdom if I’m to rule it eventually.’
Farrah’s gaze slid to Aisha, colder this time. ‘How did you do it?’
Confused, Aisha asked, ‘Do what?’
‘Seduce a sensible man. I would not have thought you pretty enough, but perhaps I am wrong.’
Tariq tensed up at that. ‘If you speak to her like that again, we’ll leave.’
Tutting, Farrah looked at her husband. ‘She has changed him already.’
Aisha had no idea what to do or where to look.
‘The girl is a Nazari, for goodness’ sake,’ Farrah continued. ‘Her mother was a covenweaver. Do you honestly expect our people to trust her?’
Aisha’s temper flared. ‘My mother was one of the most beloved queens of her time.’
Farrah stared back at her. ‘I know all about your beloved queen. I know everything about your family. Like the fact that your eldest sister did not shed a tear as she burned.’ She paused. ‘Because she knew what she was.’
Aisha felt like the floor had been pulled out from under her. ‘How dare you,’ she breathed.
‘You don’t have to listen to this,’ Tariq said, taking Aisha by the arm and turning her around. ‘Let’s go.’
‘You have not been excused,’ Hamza said.
Tariq ignored him.
The sound of the fountain faded behind them, replaced by the scrape of Kaidon’s boots and the pounding of her own pulse. Aisha bit the inside of her cheek to keep her composure, swallowing hard against the burning heat in her eyes. She refused to cry in front of Tariq.
The prince looked back at Kaidon. ‘Run ahead and find out which room Numair has prepared.’
The guard jogged ahead.
Aisha pulled her arm free of Tariq’s grip and turned to face him. ‘You should have told me.’
‘About the match?’ He shook his head. ‘I never agreed to it.’
‘You should have told me anyway.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘You should have told me about all of it. About them.’ Her eyes filled with accusation. ‘You knew how they would react, and you let me go in there unprepared.’
He searched her eyes. ‘I didn’t expect my mother to bring up your family’s history. For that, I’m sorry.’
‘For that you’re sorry?’ She laughed despite nothing being funny. ‘Why did you bring me here, knowing they would reject me?’
She was met with silence.
Gods, she had been such an idiot not to ask more questions before coming. Her vision hadn’t shown anything beyond the journey.
‘They’re not used to people going against their wishes,’ Tariq said. ‘They just need some time to get used to the idea.’
She nodded slowly. ‘Why did you go against their wishes? Please tell me I’m not part of some rebellious phase or game you’re playing.’
‘They wanted me to marry Imperial Lady Katryne,’ Tariq said.
Her face went slack as the name registered. ‘The Emperor’s niece?’
A small nod.
It took her a moment to speak. ‘Why would they willingly tie themselves to that family?’
‘You’re a smart woman. I’m sure you can figure that out.’ He leaned in and lowered his voice. ‘This isn’t a game to me.’
A throat cleared, and Aisha looked down the corridor to find that Kaidon had returned.
The guard glanced between them. ‘The princess’s chamber is ready.’
Aisha didn’t trust her own voice, so she simply nodded, then walked over to him—without looking back at Tariq. Kaidon proceeded to lead her through the winding halls of Azura Castle.
She wanted to believe she was strong enough to face whatever was ahead of her, but the humiliation was making her doubt herself.
‘Here we are,’ Kaidon said, stopping in front of a door.
Before he could say another word, Aisha walked straight in and closed the door behind her. Leaning against it, she sank to the floor and cried.