Ten
A PUNISHING SPELL . . . erased memories . . . marriage regrets . . . plans to take back a kingdom
Mage Marna’s spell on the guards appeared to have successfully erased their memories because, after about ten paces from the bathhouse, they began to speak to Bryn of pleasantries about the wedding feast. As unnerving as it was to hear them prattle as though they hadn’t just seen her with Rangar’s hands all over her, she was also grateful. If the whole castle knew about her and Rangar’s indiscretion, the alliance between their kingdoms would be in jeopardy.
The guards led her to the room designated as the newlywed chamber, where she found Trei reading a book with a platter of untouched food on the table. He closed the book when she entered.
“Bryn. Are you feeling better?”
She had told herself she’d be the model of discretion. She had promised herself she wouldn’t draw Trei into trouble thatwasn’t of his making. Yet she immediately sank onto the bed and started shaking.
Eyes widening, Trei set aside the book and wrapped a hand around her back. “What happened?”
There were a million reasons she shouldn’t say anything about what had happened in the bathhouse, but Trei had a forgiving heart, and she knew he wouldn’t judge her. Their romance might be a facade, but their friendship was true.
“I spoke with Rangar,” she whispered.
Alarmed, Trei immediately looked toward the door, then back to her. “Alone?”
She nodded as she pressed a hand against her mouth. She muttered between her fingers, “He’s hurting greatly."
Best not to mention theotherthings that had happened—or almost happened—between them. Trei might be her friend and a confidante, but his grace only extended so far. “Your aunt found us speaking together. The guards must have overheard us talking and fetched her.”
Trei sighed as he rubbed his tired eyes. “That’s going to be a problem. My father thinks Rangar simply needs to find someone new to warm his bed to take his mind off you. He’s already sent scouts to find village girls who might catch Rangar’s eye. Ones with fair hair in particular . . . It won’t work, of course. Rangar’s been in love with you for years. He intended to spend the rest of his life with you.”
“Thefralenbond,” Bryn said in a distant voice. “I never believed in it, but . . . I don’t know . . . Idofeel something different with him. Like we are bound together in some way. I don’t think I can deny it much longer.”
Trei rested his hand on hers. “Perhaps, but you and I have a bond as well.” His finger moved along her finger to stop on her wedding ring.
Bryn swallowed. “I know.”
“Do you regret marrying me?”
She hesitated before saying honestly, “I believe it was the right thing to do for my people. They’ve suffered so much at my family’s hands; I didn’t have any more choice than you did.”
Trei picked up the book he’d been reading and opened it to a dense-looking chapter. “I’ve been researching the Mirien’s coronation tradition. We can’t formally take control until we wear the actual crowns of the king and queen, and Captain Carr holds possession of Castle Mir. He isn’t going to want to give those up.”
She slid over the book, reading through the passages. “So, how do we get the crowns?”
He lowered his voice. “I believe we can use the Wedding Tour to our advantage. My father will share more details, but we must turn the Mir populace against Captain Carr.”
She frowned down at the book. “That sounds dangerous.”
Trei laughed but not mockingly. At her questioning look, he said, “Bryn, we’re the rulers of two of the strongest kingdoms in the Eyrie. Of course, it’s dangerous. We’ll be facing danger every day for the rest of our lives.”
She studied him for a long while. “How can you live like that? Knowing that every day there might be an assassin waiting to slit your throat?”
Trei closed the book, drawing her hand into his. “Because I see how beautiful life is. How full of hope. Because I won’t let fear stop me from bringing that beauty to others.”
There was such sincerity in his words that she found herself leaning into him as he wrapped her arms around her. She closed her eyes, heart galloping, and tried not to think of messes, dangers, and forbidden kisses among the steam.
Bryn didn’t seeRangar for the next several days.
Every night, she and Trei slept in bed together, putting off the consummation they both knew was inevitable. She spent her days sitting long hours in the wedding receiving line, handing out maiden roses and blessings with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, or working with the castle’s staff to plan the upcoming Wedding Tour. It would be two weeks on the road of wearing a new gown every day. In preparation for the tour, thousands of scones were baked with the maiden rose emblem pressed in them and drizzled with Mir honey. When she wasn’t participating in the post-wedding traditions, she was in the council chambers with King Aleth, Mage Marna, Trei, and Valenden, discussing strategies for taking back the Mir crowns with as little bloodshed as possible.
Mage Marna turned to Bryn. “It would be good for you to speak with the refugees. Ensure they know of your plans to rule benevolently.”
Valenden scoffed at the suggestion before Bryn could answer. “Let’s not forget that Captain Carr has spies among that group of refugees. Spies who may very well make an attempt on Bryn’s life. And you want her to chit chat with them?”
