Brande’s brows shot up. Her father was rarely ever cross with her. She was widely regarded as among his favored company. At meals, she was always seated next to him, or within a place or two.
“I’m sorry, Father,” she said, folding her hands on her lap.
“You have become too wild. A lively spirit is charming in a child, but it’s a liability in a princess who has come of age. I know if you’re not checked you’ll bring scandal down on the monarchy. We are under too much scrutiny for me to allow that to happen.”
“It was only a book.”
“It was not only a book. You sneak out. You explore with your mind things that you will next be tempted to explore with your body. Your mother’s line is known for its deep passions, and not all within the lineage could be controlled. You yourself have been warned so many times that you don’t even slow down your pursuits in the face of censure anymore.”
She felt the heat rise in her face. He wasn’t wrong. She had grown increasingly bold.
“I have never been free with my body,” she said firmly. Though that was not wholly true. She’d never been free with her body when another person was around, but she’d—it didn’t matter what she did in private.
“You’ve read about the Massar cannibals?”
She nodded grimly, wondering at the abrupt change of topic.
“They have rallied great numbers and have stationed themselves on the fourth outpost of Wumbon.”
She clenched her hands. According to reports, that lost world was wet and covered with a mud that sucked men into its depths, leading to horrific drownings from lungs filled with thick soaked dirt.
“They’ve chosen it as a place to converge because they don’t expect our forces to descend upon them there. It would be a very high cost to our army to pursue them to the outer reaches of that world.”
“I don’t understand why—?”
“I’m telling you so you understand the gravity of what we’re facing. There are a group of warriors who are skilled at warring on every terrain in the universe. I’ve hired them to infiltrate and battle with the Massars in the farthest regions.”
She sat back.
“They however were not interested in money. Their population was threatened some years back on that wild lush planet of theirs. They need to replenish their numbers, and healthy women are of particular interest. Since this mission is likely to cause them to lose warriors, I have pledged to give one of my own daughters to them. You.”
She froze. “You can’t. I’m not—! A princess can’t be traded like currency or livestock! What would people say?”
“The people have been slaughtered in large numbers. They will feel incredibly loyal to a royal family that is willing to protect Endricane at great personal cost to itself.”
“What world are these great warriors from?” she asked slowly. She had never been attracted to military men with their bulky muscles, single-minded focus, and grunting monosyllabic conversations. Several that she had met were somewhat brutish. She desired a clever husband who would tease her mind as well as her body.
“The warriors are from Kettura. It’s—”
“Kettura! Mankind barely has a foothold there! A few villages. No city. The wilderness goes unchecked.”
“It is primitive.”
“I won’t live there.”
“You will live wherever your husband puts you,” the king said.
“Have you spoken to your high counsel about this?”
“I do not require Lord Calex’s input on this. I know it’s for the best. On Kettura, your movements will be restricted by nature. And there will be no high protocols for you to rebel against. You’ll be freer in many ways. Your husband will likely care about nothing other than your stunning beauty and your ability to bear children, so you can pursue whatever hobbies interest you.”
Like escape?She could not move, could not find her voice. She sat staring at the man she’d heard could be ruthless, but in whom she’d always put her faith. Her own father could not sentence her to a life she would abhor. This must surely be an idle threat.
“This assumes that the Ketturans aren’t killed,” he continued. “If all the warriors die in battle, then we’ll be free to find a match more to your liking. That however will not be long from now. It’s time that someone took you in hand.”
The only time she’d ever been pleased to be taken in hand had been by the crown’s highest advisor. There was something exciting about Lord Evston Calex’s attention. He had a certain sensual energy that she longed to explore. She swallowed, her mind drifting to the thought of his tall, handsome body and the way he forced stern discipline onto her when she’d been naughty. Once he’d made her kneel in a corner. Another time, he’d tossed her over his lap, flipped up her skirt, and slapped her quite firmly on the bottom.Twice.
“I expected an outburst,” the king said. “I’m happy not to endure it. I suppose that it’s as the royal physician said. Young women, especially high spirited ones, eventually respond well to firm handling and vigorous control. I daresay the Ketturan warriors will have the strength to manage you. I recommend you remember that before you try to outwit them. Men don’t like being made into fools by young girls. You are likely to experience stern, even harsh punishments. ‘Barbarians’ is the word that comes to mind when one sees them.”
