I saw arranged marriages growing up. People wed for safety and security rather than love quite often. But there was usually some choice. Or at least the illusion of it.
“Is there another man? Someone else you can say you already pledged your heart to?” I ask.
“No.”
“What about a temple to Mara? She doesn’t require the same things the others do.” As much as I don’t want to see her go, it feels like a better option.
As much as I don’t want to see her go?I’m losing it. I’m sinking too deep into this persona. It won’t matter if she leaves. I won’t be here, either.
“You think they’d take me?” she asks.
The acolytes of Mara are considered a dangerous and desperate group. While nobody knows what they do inside their temples, many of their recruits have bloody or scandalous pasts.
“I think they might,” I say. “It’s not the easiest path, and it could be worse than marriage, but it might be your only other option.”
“It would be a life confined to a temple. Never seeing the rest of the continent or doing anything that brings me joy,” she says. “Then, a death of working as one of her ravens.”
“Have you met him yet?” I ask.
She shakes her head.
“Do you want to meet him first? See if he’s a better option than the temple?” I suggest gently.
“He wants to visit the market with me today,” she says. “You’ll come, right?”
“Of course,” I say.
“What about your ladies? Bring them? Maybe one of them will catch his eye instead. They’re all from noble houses.”
“And they are interested in marriage,” I tell her.
She crosses to me and takes my hands in hers. “Please, please bring them. Tell them I don’t want him. Tell them they can flirt and bat their lashes all they want.”
“I will,” I say. “Maybe he’s kind. Maybe it won’t be so bad.”
“Yes. Maybe.” She offers a weak smile, then she drops my hands and looks down at herself. “Oh! I can’t go out like this.” She races to the door and pulls it open. “Ten o’clock?”
“Yes. That sounds perfect,” I say.
“I’ll meet you at the entry. Don’t let me sit in a carriage alone with him,” she pleads.
“I won’t,” I assure her. She waves as she hurries away.
I don’t know any of the legionnaires who are standing outside my door. Brevan wasn’t joking when he promised me he would be taking the night off. I look at the closest one. He’s young. Probably younger than me. He’s got hazel eyes and light brown hair. Might have even been blonde when he was young. “Can you get word to my ladies?”
He straightens. “Of course, Your Highness.”
“Can you tell them to dress and join me for breakfast?” I ask. “Oh, and can you tell someone we’ll need breakfast?”
“Right away,” he says.
“Thank you.” I close the door and rush to my wardrobe. If I dress quickly, they won’t have to make a fuss over getting me ready.
By the time my ladies arrive, I’m in a day dress. I already washed my face and braided my hair. I even put a little rouge on my cheeks so it looks like I spent more time getting ready than I did.
“We’re going to the market,” I tell them while we eat. “Juliette’s betrothed will be attending with us.”
“I heard he’s very rich,” Genevieve says.
