Chapter Five
Vibrant and joyful days flew too fast for Aidan as he showed Bella around Dalon. In a short time, she was at ease with his friends. If she was to stay, his life would have been perfect. The shadow of discontent darkened the brilliant idyll, but he never allowed himself to mope for too long.
He was a prince, honor-bound to better the world. The marriage would bring Dalon and Valoa closer together and the world closer to peace.
It didn't hurt that he was falling for Bella. Her wit, her wisdom, and even her fear of spiders were endearing. It helped that his friends, Niall and Kane, would accompany them. He couldn't imagine being without them.
The betrothal ceremony came too soon, and not soon enough. His heart sank at the steady downpour that threatened the day, even as his mother assured him the mages would clear up the rain.
"That seems like a waste of magic," Aidan said.
"There will be dignitaries from across the Starlands at the ceremony. I don't know where you get such ideas." Dowager Queen Sara shot a withering look in Niall's direction, as if she had a good idea.
Niall bowed. "I'll give you a moment alone with your mother, Your Highness."
Before Aidan could stop him, his friend scurried out. Aidan didn't have much of a temper, but his anger kindled. "Mama, must you—"
"He shouldn't be at the betrothal ceremony." Sara picked up his old silver tunic, tossing it aside with a sniff. "Caution needs to be exercised with how we present ourselves to the rest of the Starlands."
Aidan's shoulders stiffened. "I don't know what you mean, Mama."
"You don't want to know what I mean," Sara corrected. "Evil marked that boy, Aidan."
"He was injured trying to protect me!" His stomach burned with anger. "Everyone says it was just an animal."
Shadows swathed Sara as she straightened her head. "No one wishes to speak the truth. Your brother showed too much benevolence by gifting knighthood as a reward. The stableboy might have saved your life, but we cannot have the rest of the Starlands thinking that we show mercy to Curse Mages."
"Niall isn't a Curse Mage." His shoulders sagged. "Mama, I don't want to argue on this day."
Golden light drifted into the window, a sure sign of magic banishing the storm. Sara's disapproval dissipated as a sad smile appeared on her face. "You have too noble of a heart, Aidan. Sometimes I fear the world will take advantage of it."
He struggled to hide his annoyance. "There is nothing wrong with a noble heart, Mama."
"Your father had one," she said, a wistfulness woven into her voice. Then her eyes hardened. "And he died for it. I don't intend to lose anyone else I love to darkness."
He hated when she spoke of his father. If he argued further, it would just bring pain to his mother.
"I promised to see Conan before the ceremony," he said. "We're supposed to arrive together."
"Naturally." She stepped back. "Your tunic seems a bit wrinkled. I should have a word with that boy..."
"I will see you soon," he said, giving a quick bow before bolting.
Niall leaned against the wall, head tilted to obscure his scar. "Did the Queen threaten to dismiss me?"
Aidan sped down the carpeted floor. "No."
Not quite a lie. Not quite a blemish to his honor.
Niall's heavy footsteps echoed as Aidan rushed through the vast halls. "I'm sorry for causing trouble."
Aidan shook his head. "You needn't apologize. My mother is unfair to you."
"She has been kindness compared to others."
Aidan's stomach twisted. When they were young, Niall endured much abuse.
No one liked a stableboy elevated to knight-in-training.
It forged a curious bond between them. Aidan was often left out because he was a prince, and Niall because of his humble origins.
After a time, both earned respect from hard work and dedication.
He couldn't recall any recent insults directed at his friend, but honesty rang in Niall's tone.
"They wish they had an ounce of your honor." Aidan's firm stride punctuated his words. "And all will be different in Valoa. Bella says they quite admire merit in her kingdom."
Niall snorted. "Everything is that simple?"
"Of course not." Aidan paused in front of the tapestry depicting his father's fight against Sylvia the Bloodwitch. "But nothing worth doing is ever simple. It shan't be easy for me to go to a new land and earn respect. And you've an even more difficult path. But we must do it for the Starlands."
Niall's customary small smile flashed on his face. "Indeed. And don't think of me as someone who shrinks from the challenge. I want all of those worthy elevated to knighthood. If I gave up, that would just discourage others."
They stopped in front of the grand doors which led to Conan's chambers.
Niall waited while Aidan slipped inside.
Accustomed to the opulence, he still appreciated the spectacular sight.
Intricately woven gilt carpets concealed stone floor, vibrant tapestries, and bunting decorated the walls.
Maps and papers covered a silver-edged round table.
His brother conducted most important business in his own chamber.
Conan was already dressing for the day. Aidan didn't use attendants, but Conan never eschewed them.
Especially a handsome one whose hands lingered on his body.
"Is it still raining?" Conan asked, as though he couldn't look out the window for himself.
"No." Aidan stopped to stare at one of Conan's cursed curiosities, a monkey's paw encased in enchanted glass. "It wasn't so bad. No need for magic."
"We've guests from all across the Starlands, and I don't mean to give the impression that we're a rainy bog," Conan said as his attendant slipped a tunic over him. "Don't you want to have your special day with the princess in more pleasing conditions?"
"I hate wasting magic." Aidan shrugged. "And today will please me whether there is rain or sun."
"Because of your bonny princess." Conan nodded at his attendant, dismissing him.
"I've noticed you've been spending a lot of clandestine time with her.
If I didn't know better, I'd say she's an enchantress.
She certainly has cast an enchantment on you.
I wouldn't be a good brother if I let you marry a possible witch. .."
Aidan rolled his eyes. Becoming king at fourteen had forced Conan to grow up fast. But he still loved teasing and sport.
There was a famous story that he fought one of the last dragons.
Aidan wasn't sure if it was true since the tale became more garbled with each telling, and the one doing the telling was usually Conan.
Once he had asked Conan why he jested so much.
Their mother said that it was beneath the dignity of a king.
Conan had looked at him with a smirk, but his green eyes were deadly serious.
"The most dangerous are those who don't embrace the absurd in life.
Curse Mages have their humor eradicated by their dark magic.
Great people sacrificed themselves so we could live. And laughter is part of living."
Those words stuck, and Aidan tried to embrace the absurd. But the teasing annoyed him. "Enchantment? Why don't you believe I love her?"
Conan shrugged. "I was seventeen once. We might prefer different wines, but I still remember what it's like to drink your first wine. I appreciated the feeling, but it wasn't love."
Aidan shook his head. "It's not that way at all. It isn't her looks... stop laughing! Bella is wise, merry, and has a good heart. She is brave and strong. Perfect."
Skepticism shadowed Conan's face. "I hope you will be happy, but I'd be wary of drinking too much from a wine that appears perfect. You are liable to end up puking."
"What of our parents? Mama always said that it was love at first sight."
Conan snorted. "Love at first sight is rather easy when one is the daughter of an impoverished knight, and the other is a king who likes big bosoms."
Aidan considered his brother's point and then glanced past him. "Good morning, Mama," he said with a cheerful wave.
Conan jumped and spun around, clearly terrified that their mother heard his flippant estimation of her character.
Aidan howled with laughter as it dawned on Conan that no one was there. He seldom tricked his kingly brother.
Conan coughed. "Very amusing. I should tell the princess that she needn't take you as a consort. You are more suited to be her fool."
"I'd be her fool." Aidan shuffled his feet. "Anything to be with her."
Conan picked up a monkey's paw case from his collection of cursed curiosities. "Do you think Princess Bella would find this a fitting gift?"
Aidan gritted his teeth. "Don't you dare."
Conan continued teasing suggestions for cursed gifts as they made their way down to the ceremonial grounds.
Ignoring him, Aidan looked out the gilded windows.
Colorful pavilions were erected by the jousting fields, the grandstand graced with banners of Dalon and Valoa as attendants hurried back and forth.
Aidan squirmed at the idea of a tournament, always worried that others let him win.
The only people trusted to knock him down were his brother, Niall, and his friend Fiona.
"What about a cursed necklace that chokes any thief to death?" Conan asked as they walked through the wide double doors into the light of spring.
"Isn't it bad enough that the ceremony takes place on the anniversary of the war's end?" Aidan fiddled with his sleeve. "Curses are for the past and should be forgotten."
Conan cocked his head. "There's a danger in forgetting the past."
"The past doesn't matter," Aidan said. "This is about the future we're forging."
Those who suffered in the Curse Wars had overshadowed his entire life. He wanted a new future for everyone.