I sigh. I can see already that he will be one of the more painful masters I have ever been bound to. “What is your name, darkling?”
He frowns. “I am Kaelun. What is a darkling anyway?”
I lift a brow. So he is clever, but there is much he does not know. “Just Kaelun?”
“That’s right. I never knew my parents. So I chose my own name.”
Huh. Figures. “Very well, Kaelun. I am bound to serve you until you have made your third wish. It will be as you command.”
Perhaps this Solha Yalina is just as ignorant and self-important as my new master. They may deserve each other. I hope for her sake this is true. The way he has worded the command binds me tightly to his will. There is little room for any…adjustments.
Yalina
I’m startled awake by the fanfare of trumpets. I sit up, rubbing my eyes, wondering if I imagined it, but the noise goes on and on until I push back the covers. I’m about to stumble to the balcony to see what on earth is making that commotion when a servant rushes into the room. Her gaze is firmly fixed on the floor. “A royal visitor, oh, Light of the Sun. I was sent to get you ready.”
“A what?” I blink, trying to remember if Master Solen mentioned this, but I’ve been avoiding the council.
“A prince. People are saying he’s a great prince from very far away. And he’s here to woo you, Light of the Sun.”
I roll my eyes. “We already have one. We do not need another.” Just the thought of another Aurelion makes me yawn and wish I could crawl back into bed. His mind games are exhausting, as is trying to stay one step ahead of him long enough to breathe. If I step out of my rooms for a walk, he is there to accompany me. At every meal I do not take on my balcony I must make conversation while he devours me with his eyes. I cannot even escape him in my greenhouse. “Where is Master Solen?”
The girl hesitates in the act of laying out a dress for me to wear. “Shall I fetch him, oh, Light of the Sun?”
“Yes. I think you had better.”
She dresses me hastily and rushes off to find my spiritmaster. Another girl comes soon after with coffee and pastries, and I stop her as she places them on the table by the couch. “Is there really a new prince? What is happening?”
“I do not know, Light of the Sun.” She drops into a respectful bow and hurries off.
This is ridiculous. I take a gulp of coffee and stand. The doors burst open and bang against the walls as I leave my room, and I feel a little sorry for the servant waiting outside who jumps. “Fetch my council! Tell them to attend me immediately. I do not care if they have not had breakfast.” If Master Harmer thinks togo behind my back and call another suitor here, he is sorely out of line.
Or perhaps it was not Master Harmer. Perhaps it was Master Vos. I have always wondered if she had political alliances beyond Vathira’s walls. Perhaps it is not my power she seeks to undermine, but one of the other advisors—at my expense.
At any rate, I am not a toy in their game.
By the time I come to the council room, I am strung tight like an archer’s bow. I sit at the head of the table, then launch from my seat again with a growl and pace the room.
Master Solen is the first to arrive, and I round on him, unable to hold it in a moment longer. “Who is this prince, and who invited him?”
He bows low. “Good morning, oh, Light of the Sun. I’m afraid I’m just as surprised as you. Perhaps Master Harmer will have an answer for us.”
“He had better.”
The kindly old man smiles at me sympathetically. “Forgive me, Your Highness, I am not as young as I once was. Perhaps we might breakfast together as we decide how best to welcome our new guest?”
Just then, Masters Vos and Tahlir enter and bow, and I sigh. Shouting at my council will not make this problem go away. “Yes, send a servant to bring us something to eat and drink. There’s no time to waste.”
Master Solen leaves and returns soon after, and the others join us. When we are finally sitting around the council table with fragrant fruit tea, bread, and cheese, my anger has faded and my head feels a little cooler. “Can someone please explain to me what is going on?”
They all look at each other around the table.
Master Harmer coughs. “We do not know, Light of the Sun. None of us has invited this new guest.”
Master Vos chimes in. “Your Highness, the whole thing is very odd. I have never heard of the kingdom of Emrakai. Nor of this prince. He comes with such a small retinue. We must be cautious that this is not some political maneuver made by our enemies.”
I nod. “I agree. But if he is real? We should not turn him away until we can find out more.”
Vos nods. “This is true, Light of the Sun. I think you should welcome him as if we were expecting the visit and learn what we can. You must walk a fine line of keeping Prince Aurelion happy until we know who is the better match.”
