They rode for hours in the chill of darkness, until the first softness of dawn began to show itself on the horizon, revealing a frost that covered every blade of grass.
Now that the war was over, it would be time to rebuild—to rule, and live without her parents—it seemed unimaginable She would be expected to marry Lief, a thought that filled her with a sullen, sickening sort of grief. Especially after all she’d shared with Paxton.
Aerity turned to look at Pax, who rode next to her, staring ahead. In his far hand he held the reins of the horse that carried the bodies of Vito and Rozaria. It was beyond strange that those lifeless, now harmless, forms had hurt and terrorized so many. Paxton met her eyes and Aerity had to swallow and look away from the heartache she saw there. She stared out instead at the river to her right as it rambled along.
Before they reached the bay she saw a pack of Ascomannian riders approaching them at a fast clip. Aerity kicked her horse lightly and leaned forward to push through the crowd. Volgan, the warrior, greeted her with a nod.
“What news?” she asked, her heart pounding.
“Royal lands are secure. The castle as well. But Prince Vito and Rozaria Rocato are nowhere to be found. We think they may have—”
“They are dead,” Lord Alvi proclaimed. “At the hand of the hunter Paxton Seabolt.” Lief held an arm toward Paxton. Volgan stared in disbelief. Everyone turned to him, eyeing the bodies on the horse at his side, and then a deafening roar split the air. Paxton reluctantly accepted handshakes and pats on his back. But he never seemed to share their happiness.
“Let’s get the royal highnesses and Lady Wyneth back to their rightful home then, aye?” Lief called out. Another cheer and then forward movement at a faster pace as they ushered Aerity home. Vixie reached out and took Aerity’s hand, offering a smile. Aerity forced one in return.
Swept up in the festive atmosphere of the soldiers, Vixie let out a whoop and galloped forward. Aerity nearly smiled when she saw her sister bring her knees up into the saddle, tucking her body, preparing to do a trick. It had been so long since she’d seen Vixie be carefree. When Vixie balanced on her hands and forearms and lifted her pointed toes straight into the air, Aerity did smile. Because under her skirts she was wearing riding trousers.
The men laughed and cheered, absolutely entertained as Vixie split her legs and arched her back gracefully, pulling herself back down to balance on the palms of her hands, legs outstretched to the sides. She dropped her bottom back into the saddle and lay back, reaching her arms out and closing her eyes with a peaceful expression. Oh, this girl.
Aerity suddenly jolted, consumed by raw fear at the thought of her once carefree brother in the hands of Kalorians.
Aerity shot past her sister and rode up to Volgan. The man turned to her, forehead pinched.
“Good sir, my brother has been kidnapped. Did you happen upon him anywhere in the castle? Prince Vito said they had him.” Oh, seas, her entire body trembled.
“Your Majesty,” Volgan said in a gruff voice, “our vessels have been keeping watch over the Isle of Evie since your kin were brought there. We’ve received no word of an attack, but I will check.”
“Please,” she said, only partially appeased. He galloped away toward the bay and Aerity turned to the others. Vixie rode to her side.
“What’s wrong?”
Aerity did not want to burden her sister, but Vixie was strong. So Aerity told her, along with Wyneth.
“Not Donnie,” Vixie whispered. All traces of pink drained from her cheeks.
“Seas alive,” Wyneth breathed. “The children . . .”
“I must go to the bay to see what I can learn,” Aerity told her.
“I’m going with you,” Vixie said. Aerity nodded, grateful.
“Same,” Paxton said.
“We’ll all go,” Wyneth told her.
Harrison sent half the troops back to royal lands and the other half to accompany them to the bay, where King Dagur awaited with his fleet. Aerity and the others arrived just after Volgan. She slid down from her horse, grabbed her skirts, and ran as quickly as she could up the gangway to the royal Ascomannian’s boat with Vixie and Wyneth behind her.
King Dagur, who’d just finished speaking with Volgan, came to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Have no worries, Queen Aerity. Your brother and the rest of your royal family are safe on the isle.”
Vixie and Wyneth let out sounds of joy.
Aerity exhaled in a shudder, pressing a hand to her stomach. “You’re certain?”
“We’ve been keeping constant watch. Your navy is sending a vessel for their return journey this very moment.”
Aerity was near tears, but held them back. “Thank you. I cannot thank you enough, Your Majesty. I don’t think I can ever repay you for all you’ve done.”
A sly grin came to his face and she had to press her hand harder into her belly. She knew he had every intention of being repaid, and promptly.
“Will you please join us at the castle to eat and rest?” she asked, trying to keep her voice strong.
“I will,” he said.
Aerity curtsied, and the king bowed. She turned and hugged her sister and Wyneth quickly. Then they grasped their skirts and turned to go. When she reached the shore, she felt Paxton watching her from atop his horse, but with King Dagur’s words of repayment ringing in her ears, she could not look at him. She didn’t want him to see the desperation she felt at the thought of losing him. A soft snow began to fall and she was thankful for an excuse to raise her hood.
“They are safe,” she said softly.
“Thank the seas.”
The entire way back to royal lands, despite the beauty and peace of the snowfall, Aerity fought her emotions. This wasn’t the end of the world for her. It’s what all princesses and queens had to do before her father’s time. And though she wanted to marry no one but Paxton, she knew her options could be much worse. After nearly being forced to wed Prince Vito, Lord Alvi was a shining gem of a prospect. She owed this to her allies and the people. But still . . . her heart wept.
She pulled her cloak tighter as winds from the seas picked up, sending snow sideways. What would Paxton do now? Would he return to his village? If she asked him to stay in the castle, and provided him with work, she knew he would probably accept. And if Lord Alvi was sure to take mistresses, could she not have Paxton as well? But wrongness and guilt filled her at the thought of carrying on a secret relationship. That was no way for them to live.
These thoughts tumbled through her mind on their journey back to royal lands where they entered through the northern gates. It gave her great joy to see her castle intact, but then she saw the piles of bodies and soldiers moving more dead to clear a path. Smoldering piles of rubbish lay beneath windows, and Aerity’s blood boiled as she realized what had happened.
“What have they done?” Vixie cried. “They burned our things?”
“By the seas,” Wyneth whispered. “Disgraceful.”
“What matters is that we are safe,” Aerity said, just as much for her own hearing. Even if the entire castle had been dismantled, they were alive.
“Has anyone seen Tiern or the Zandalee yet?” Paxton asked.
“Someone said they were inside the castle,” a soldier told them.
Vixie beamed and leaned forward, her horse shooting down the path toward the castle, spraying up powdery snow.
Aerity stopped and turned to Harrison. “Have a proclamation sent to the towns at once to let them know the war is over. The Rocato woman and the imposter Prince Vito have been slain, and their bodies will be on display. Let them know we will have a coronation celebration in a week’s time. And as of today the laws against Lashed magic are lifted for purposes of healing. Full details of new laws will be issued shortly. Also”—she swallowed—“details of a royal wedding will be announced very soon.”
Harrison gave her a tight nod and cantered away. Aerity could look at no one. She turned toward the castle and continued on.
r />
“Aerity,” Paxton called.
She gritted her teeth and slowed her horse so he could catch up. He rode alongside her in silence for a moment before speaking low enough for only her to hear.
“I will return to Cape Creek today.”
“No,” she said in a rush, then scolded herself. White snowflakes covered his dark hair and she wanted to brush them away. “Please, Pax. Stay until . . . I want as much time with you as I can.”
His eyes reflected her own need and anguish. “I worry that the more time we spend together, the harder it will be.”
She shook her head obstinately. “Don’t leave. I’m not ready.” Her heart was on the brink of shattering.
He stared at her a moment longer before inclining his chin. “All right, then. I will stay until it is time.”
She shut her eyes. She knew she was torturing them both by prolonging the inevitable, but everything inside her clung to him. Together, they faced forward and rode to the gardens, where they dismounted. She pressed her lips tightly at the sight of piled bodies along the hedges, a layer of snow covering them in a show of macabre beauty. There seemed to be no place on royal lands where blood had not been shed. She turned away from the sight.
Inside the castle, Aerity was appalled by the damage the Kalorians had done. It seemed every room held broken or defaced heirlooms, paintings, or furniture. And while it pained her, it also satisfied her to know they would never be able to do this to anyone else again.
Only a few maids and kitchen staff had received news of their victory and returned to the castle. She was thankful to find the baker already inside the kitchen, warming the ovens.
“I knew we’d win this, Your Majesty,” he told Aerity with glad tears in his eyes. “I knew good would prevail.” He cracked eggs into flour and began kneading with shaking hands. It would take a while to feel safe again.
“Bless you, chef,” Aerity said, trying not to get emotional.
Vixie appeared upset when she found Aerity in the hall. “He slept in Mum and Papa’s chambers. It—it doesn’t smell like them anymore.”
Agony tormented Aerity’s heart. “The maids are gone. We’ll find clean sheets in the laundry rooms and air it out ourselves.”
“I’ll get the sheets,” Vixie said, squaring her shoulders in a show of stoicism. “And some for the rest of us as well. My chamber stinks of a filthy man.”
“Thank you.” Aerity stopped her sister with a hand on her arm. “I’m proud of you.”
Vixie gave her a weak smile and hurried away. Aerity was standing there in the middle of the hall, staring into nothingness, when Wyneth approached and swept her tangled hair back from her shoulder.
“Will you be all right, Cousin?”
“I have to be all right, don’t I?” She tried to smile.
“To the public, aye. But not to me.”
Aerity’s voice shook. “Then I am not all right, Wyn. Not at all.”
Wyneth pulled her into a tight embrace. Neither said a word, but they gave and received each other’s comfort, which was the only thing they had to offer. Aerity was grateful for it. She pulled herself together and wiped her cheeks.
“I’ve got to wash my face and brush my hair and change my clothes before King Dagur arrives.”
“I’ll dress and join you in your chambers to walk together.”
They turned at the sound of footsteps jogging down the hall toward them: Harrison looking dashing and healthy. Wyneth beamed as she watched him. His eyes held hers with warmth before moving to Aerity.
“The tunnels have been searched and are secured. The exit north of royal lands has been filled and sealed. A Lochlan vessel has been sent to the Isle of Evie to bring back your family.”
Wyneth clasped her hands and Aerity nodded.
“Very good. Thank you, Harrison.”
“Aye, Your Majesty.”
Aerity left the two of them ogling each other as she returned to her chambers. She was happy that at least the two of them would get their happy ending.
Without the help of Caitrin, Aerity didn’t feel as put together as she normally did. She struggled to clasp her yellow dress in the back and to brush the tangles from her hair. She fidgeted with the emerald circlet hanging heavily on her forehead, and wiped a smudge of dirt from her cheek. She frowned at the looking glass. Her appearance would have to be good enough. Wyneth arrived and they walked arm in arm to the formal dining room where they’d meet the others. She inwardly cringed when she thought of the last time she’d been in that room with King Dagur.
Their pace slowed when they saw Lief standing outside the door, looking clean with damp hair.
“Did you bathe in cold water?” Aerity asked.
The coldlander grinned. “Naturally.” He approached and took her hand, kissing the tips of her fingers.
“My queen,” he said, then lowered his voice to a rumbling whisper. “I need you to do me a favor.”
“Aye? And what might that be?” she whispered back.
“Pretend to be offended.”
Offended? She stared into his serious eyes. “Whatever for?”
Lief did not answer. He took her hand and pulled it into the crook of his arm, leading her toward the dining room. Aerity looked over her shoulder at Wyneth, who shrugged in confusion.
King Dagur stood when they entered. He was with Volgan and two of his highest officials this time, rather than his family. Vixie was also at the table, appearing glad to see her. Harrison joined last with one other Lochlan officer, and the doors closed. Covered plates had been set on the table. Aerity wondered what the chef had been able to throw together in such a hurry. Had the chicken houses survived the damage of battle?
And speaking of damage, the formal dining room did not look at all the way she remembered it. Every tapestry had been torn down. The walls were bare. The priceless vases were shattered, though someone had swept the floors and left the shards in a corner.
King Dagur shook his head. “They left your home in ruins. I am sorry to witness it.”
“I’m sorry to have guests see it in such a state.”
The king waved a hand. Aerity was the first to sit, at the head of the table, and the others followed her lead. Normally a servant would lift the covers from their dishes.
“We’re on our own, I suppose,” Aerity said. She reached over and lifted the king’s cover for him, setting it in the middle. He stared at her and began to chuckle, a sound that turned to a deep laugh, and his men all joined him. Aerity blushed. The king then reached over and lifted her cover for her.
“Not on our own, Your Majesty. Together.”
Of all the things to nearly make her burst into tears . . .
Aerity smiled and motioned to the others at the table, who all lifted their own covers. Inside were slices of warm bread, roasted carrots and beets, and fried eggs. Without hesitation, they all fell upon the food. For five entire minutes nobody said a word. Aerity hadn’t realized how hungry she was until her entire plate was cleared. They all looked around at one another. Aerity met Lief’s eyes and tried to figure out why his mood was so dark. His ominous request came back to her and she squinted across the space at him, but he was lost in his thoughts.
The king pushed his plate forward enough to put his elbows on the table and nail her with a stern look.
“We must set a date for your wedding. Without delay.”
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. “I agree.”
He twined his fingers, seeming partially appeased. “This winter. Two weeks from now.” It sounded like a challenge, as if he expected her to argue. She wanted to push for spring, but after all he’d done, she couldn’t.
“That is reasonable,” she said.
He watched her before blinking and relaxing back in his chair with his hands across his belly. “Well, then. This is good.”
“Your Majesty,” said Lief from beside him. “If I may speak.”
The king appeared amused as Lief stood to address him.
“I will not marry Queen Aerity.”
Aerity’s heart stopped. All delight fell from King Dagur’s face. The entire room seemed to stiffen in shock. Volgan looked as if he were choking.
Pretend to be offended.
Oh, seas. She forced herself to speak. “Whatever do you mean, Lord Alvi?”
“He is jesting,” King Dagur said through clenched teeth.
Lief’s chest puffed out farther. “I am in earnest.” And though he stood tall and proud, Aerity saw something in his eyes she’d never seen before. Fear.
King Dagur slowly pushed to his feet. His voice was a rumble. “You. Will. Marry.”
“I am sorry, Uncle. But I will not.”
The king smacked Lief across the face. Aerity and the other girls jumped in startled surprise. Lief remained still, his jaw clenching.
“For what reasons, boy?”
“For reasons of my own.”
“If you do this . . . if you dishonor our ally in such a way, I will disown you.”
Lief paused, as if struggling. “I understand,” he said in a scratchy whisper.
Aerity could not believe her ears. This was too much. Lief’s honor to his homeland, it was an integral part of him.
The king clenched his fists, appearing ready to fight. “You will never again be allowed on Ascomanni lands, boy. Do you understand that? An outcast of the coldlands! Banished!”
Lief’s large Adam’s apple bobbed. “I understand.”
She was elated at the thought of what this could mean for her, but riddled with guilt.
“Lief,” Aerity whispered, forcing the words. “Reconsider.” His home . . . his family.
“This is pure selfishness,” King Dagur shouted at him. “You were not raised this way! How dare you put yourself above your kingdom?”
The king was trembling in fury as he turned his face to Aerity. “I did not know his intentions, Your Majesty. I would have attempted to talk sense into him.”
She tried to put on a stern face. As much as she didn’t want to make things worse for Lief, she had to do exactly what he said—pretend to be at least slightly offended. She would risk further damage to her relationship and trust with Ascomanni if she appeared to be glad not to have their union.