Wheels and cogs spun in Roderic’s mind as he gazed back over the vast vista, working his jaw in consideration. “Still, they’ll arrive with a force ten times ours.”
“Send a pigeon to General Longstreet at Marchland,” his father suggested. “Combine your forces and meet our enemies before they can dig in, grab a foothold across our border. You did send the scout balloon as General Stark ordered, didn’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
“When they report back, we’ll know exactly where the Iron Army is and approximately how many soldiers march with it. Remember your geography.There are but a handful of possible spots to cross the Mother River. That would be the best place to spring your trap.”
Roderic leaned his elbows in an embrasure between two merlons. “They could have already crossed.”
“Yes, yes, well, we’ll find out soon enough.” Thorne joined him at the battlement, his father’s excitement almost tangible. “Let’s go through some of the war history books in our library, see what Alexander or Napoleon might have done. I’ll roll out our best physical map to study the terrain. Stark said we should mobilize to intercept, anyway. But if we play our cards right, do more than slow or inconvenience the invaders—if our army crushes them—then nothing will stand between you and the crown.”
The more his father spoke, the more his words resonated with Roderic. As much as he wanted the title Lord of Stonevale, he yearned for the throne all the more.And that insufferable King Edric Frost wouldn’t even give Aren’s sons the Calder name. King Calder, he pondered, and not for the first time. His younger brother had his shot through marriage, but it failed in the end. Now he had an even more honorable path to rulership—a great military victory.It worked for George Washington,he recalled,and Napoleon, Alexander, Caesar … so many great generals. Why not me?
Roderic straightened, renewed ambition saturating him with confidence. “The soldiers are already on alert. I’ll order the supply trucks packed and call up the militia, swell our seven thousand to ten. Then I’ll meet you in the library to research strategies and tactics. While I can’t guarantee success, we can at least give them a bloody nose, make them reconsider their actions. Who knows? With Longstreet’s cooperation, we might just pull it off.”
Lord Thorne Calder slapped a hand on Roderic’s broad shoulder, his face beaming with pride. “That’s my boy. What does the invader have invested, far from his home and loved ones, fighting only to serve a leader he doesn’t know? But we defend our own soil, protecting our families and way of life. Remember, steel will break before spirit does, and the Calder spirit is as sure as these stones. You can do it, son. I have faith in you.”
In that moment, Roderic found faith in himself too.
Chapter forty-six
Vows and Codes
Clover Hollow, Soren’s matching day
Soren stood with his family in the social hall beside the chapel, wearing his best black suit, hair precisely gelled. “She looks like a lumberjack.” Gabriella folded her arms, tossed her hair, and looked down her nose at the match. The woman’s dark-blonde curls coiled at her neck, which, combined with her sturdy build, suggested a female Nathan. What a coincidence … or was it?
“She’s a basketball player,” Soren answered, “and a psychology major at The Institute. Quite brilliant, I’m told.” He fidgeted, shuffling his highly polished shoes.
“The Oracle matched them, Gabriella,” their mother explained, fingering her daughter’s dark brown hair. Nadia glowed brighter than Soren could ever recall, clearly overjoyed at his marriage. “That means she’s the perfect bride for your brother—even ifyoudon’t see it.”
Soren’s throat and chest tightened. He felt overwhelmed and wanted to bolt.I should have gone with Nathan.Whether fear or ambition had rooted him here, he wasn’t certain.Too late now.In a few minutes, they would be called into the chapel where the joining ceremonies were taking place, and then he’d be married. To a woman.Thatwoman. He recalled seeing her in the cafeteria,but they attended different academies and focused on disparate fields at The Institute. Her hobby was sports, his, art.Could the Oracle have made a mistake?
“Yeah, well,” Gabriella muttered, her frown deepening. “What’s her name?”
“Krystal Smith,” Soren answered. “Krystal with a ‘K’.” They’d officially met for the first time yesterday, right after the matches were announced. She struck him as confident, ready to take on the world. He’d been terrified.What kind of performance will she expect from me in the bedroom? Children are required, but …
“Go on, son,” his father prodded, nudging his shoulder. “Go speak to her. Let her know how happy you are that the Oracle matched you. Her family name might not carry the clout yours does, but I checked her out. She’s an extraordinary young woman.”
Bat wings flapped in Soren’s stomach. He reached up to smooth his already perfect hair. “OK.” He knew it was the polite thing to do. Slowly, he forced one foot in front of the other.
Blue balloons and white trilliums brightened the hall; banners read: “Unity Is Strength,” “Pure Body, Pure Mind,” “Together as One.” Tables laden with refreshments—lemonade, tea, punch, nuts, and cookies—stood in the center for all to enjoy. Other families laughed, chatted, happy smiles all around. Cheery background music played softly through the speakers.
As Soren slogged past them, he couldn’t help but picture Nathan instead of the tall woman in the white dress standing across from him, waiting, smiling, wanting him. If only the law were different, if there might be exceptions. But Nathan was gone. He had run rather than conform to Appalachian tradition.At least I’m patriotic, he told himself.I stayed to do my part while he took the easy road.
“Hi,” Soren said, stopping in front of Krystal. She was a little taller than he, not as tall as Nathan. Her eyes weren’t his multicolored green and brown, but a rich walnut, sharp, hinting of vast knowledge. She seemed to study him like the subject of an experiment, making him feel self-conscious.
“Hi,” she answered. “Nervous?”
“A little,” he lied. Petrified fit better.
Krystalmoved closer, took his hand, and steered them away from her family to an empty corner, ratcheting up Soren’s discomfort. What was she going to do? He got the impression she could physically injure him if she so desired.
“Look, let’s get a few things out of the way,” she said in a low, take-charge tone. “You’re destined to sit on the College of Ministers. I’ll make sure that happens. When you rise, I rise. Any questions?”
She looked like a hawk eyeing a mouse, and he was the mouse. Soren stood quivering for a moment, not sure what he should say or do. After an eternal second, he asked, “Can you cook?”
Krystal’s lips quirked, a gleam shimmering on her angular face. She arched a brow. “Can fish swim?”
