She blinked, trying to comprehend what she was hearing. ‘That’s because I’ve been busy getting my sea legs.’
He took the bag from her. ‘As far as your body’s concerned, you’re still at sea. It might feel as though the land’s moving for a while.’
‘Oh, perfect.’ She looked around at everyone else, seeing no problems. ‘Just me, then?’
Amusement flashed in Tariq’s eyes. ‘We’re used to sea travel. Do you think you can make it to the horses?’
Horses? She cried inwardly. Hadn’t she been punished enough?
As if reading her mind, Tariq said, ‘It’s just a short ride to the castle.’
She thanked the gods for that.
They made their way over to the waiting horses, and Aisha went straight to the smallest one. The saddle had a crest imprinted on it: a hawk gripping a miner’s pick and hammer. She traced a finger over the hawk’s wings. ‘I thought Gruisea’s crest bore swords.’
Tariq and Kaidon exchanged a glance before Tariq said, ‘It was recently changed.’ He mounted his horse. ‘You’ll ride with me.’
She was about to insist that she was fine to ride solo, but then the ground swayed, so she kept quiet.
Tariq rode up beside her, extending a hand. She took it, and he pulled her up onto his horse as if she were a bag of wheat.
‘Hold on,’ he said.
They rode at a gentle trot along a winding road that skirted the coastline before turning inland. The path wove through pine trees, where shafts of sunlight broke through, creating wild patterns. They emerged at the base of a slope, and when they reached the top, Aisha could see the entire city below.
‘Chaldea,’ Tariq said, stopping their horse so she could take in the view. He pointed. ‘And Azura Castle.’
The castle was built back from the clifftop, its dark stone turrets and high walls blending with the rocky terrain. Blue banners with the hawk insignia lifted in the breeze. The rest of the city was variations of brown and grey. No colour.
The horse moved forwards again.
As they descended into the city, the streets narrowed into winding lanes. Market stalls sagged under meagre displays. Wilted vegetables and neutral-coloured cloth. Children ran about in threadbare tunics. Their mothers called to them, wrangling them in while dropping into hurried bows. People stopped what they were doing to acknowledge the prince, but it seemed more polite than excited.
Aisha recalled her time in Orinthia as a child, the way people’s faces lit up at the sight of the royal family. It had been a long time since she had ridden through open streets. The whole empire had changed since then.
She made a point of smiling at anyone who met her gaze, but they responded only with suspicion. It was fair enough. She was a stranger sitting on the back of the prince’s horse, and she looked like death warmed up. She probably looked like his prisoner.
As they approached the gates, Aisha saw the tension settle in Tariq’s shoulders. That took her from nervous to terrified. Were his parents expecting him to return with a bride? And even if they knew, they would most definitely be scrutinising his choice.
The guards at the gate swiftly opened them when they saw Tariq. The inner courtyard came into view, busy with attendants and a few elaborately dressed men who watched their arrival with curiosity. He stopped the horse, and a groom appeared to help Aisha down.
Tariq dismounted soon after. ‘I think it best I meet with the king and queen privately before introducing you.’
That answered her earlier question. At least it would give her a chance to freshen up. ‘Where should I wait?’
Before Tariq had a chance to answer, a well-dressed man with neat greying hair strode into the courtyard, his gaze immediately locking on Aisha.
‘That was quick,’ Kaidon said under his breath.
Aisha tried not to look as scared as she felt.
The man stopped in front of the prince, bowing. ‘Welcome home, Your Highness.’
‘Thank you.’ Tariq gestured to Aisha. ‘May I present Princess Aisha of Avanid.’
The man appeared to freeze for a moment before bowing again. ‘Welcome to Azura Castle, Your Highness.’
‘Thank you,’ she said.
