Renata had the gall to feign surprise.
Her father spread his hands. “Well, she would be. A common human, even a mage... Believe what you want about my sources, but I know tongues are flying, and there is much speculation about your choice of consort.”
“My father is merely trying to save you the humiliation of an uprising. It looks selfish to host a ball while your people suffer, and even though they know a bride is the key to restoring Caledon’s weak magical line, you are choosing some unknown commoner who may or may not get the job done.”
Girion was stunned by the venom in Renata’s voice, as well as by the mention of an uprising. “My people are going through a difficult patch, you are right. I am working as fast as I can to fix it.”
“Shouldn’t have let it get to this point in the first place, Girion. For years, people have said you should worry about an heir, a family...” Reynard wrung his hands as if his own life were at stake.
Girion’s claws began to emerge, and then—he pictured Jocasta’s face. Her stubborn look and the syrupy smile she could muster in the midst of their bantering and bickering.
His tone and posture changed. “I can see you two are dearly devoted to the people of your second home,” Girion said, nodding. “I know you want to help. I have just the way, something that will make you both happy, and show just how greatly I admire you and value your help,” he practically purred.
Cole looked as though he were having trouble keeping his stoic expression from slipping.
“I’d like to appoint you, Lady Renata,” he bowed low, and Girion hid a smile as Lady Renata’s sneer started to turn into an excited grin, her eyes gleaming, “as royal emissary to the northern hills. Your fire magic will be of great use, just as you said it would be as a bride.”
“I never said such a thing!”
“Your hints were all too plain,” he waved her words away, spread out his arms, and ushered his smaller guests towards the door. “Cole will take you to the mustering point where the second wave of guards is gathering. I’m sure that your carriage can follow the path of their horses quite easily, and when you reach the base of the hills, your magic will be put into action to save those stranded people. What a hero of Caledon you will be! Oh, how you will be hailed, Lady Renata, as a great savior of the people—humans, of course. It’s the humans who aren’t coping with the frozen springs, as they have no furred forms to shift into. And you, Archduke, I’m sure you’ll wish to accompany your daughter and act as escort, not that there is any reason to worry for her safety, not with the company of guards protecting her, but I don’t think it would look proper, sending her alone. Now, Jocasta, on the other hand, I would trust alone if I had to, for she has a soldier’s spirit. Yes, that’ll do, and I do hope you’ll be back in time for the wedding, but if not, I certainly understand.I trust I’ll hear of your brave exploits once I’m done with my unfortunately short respite from royal duties. Cole! Show our guests to the mustering point.”
“With pleasure, sire!” Cole sprang down the long carpet in the throneroom and took over, ushering the babbling, protesting pair from the room.
In about ten minutes, Cole came back and shut the doors behind him. “That was brilliantly handled, sire.”
“I thought so.”
“Not your usual style of blunt or forceful.”
“I have been expanding my strategies, as any good leader should.”
“Yes. The fire magic would have helped, sire, but I’m afraid the Archduke and Lady Renata begged off.”
“Such a surprise.”
“Do you think they’ll show their faces at the wedding?”
“I hope not.”
Chapter Ten
“Herrick, go and visit Cole.”
“Should I announce you, sire?”
“No, I will announce myself.”
Jocasta threw down the book Lady Somerlynn had lent her when she heard Girion’s gruff voice from outside her chamber door.
“May I come in?”
“Just a moment!” Jocasta quickly pulled an ornamental screen in front of her wedding gown. Her mother had said it was bad luck for the groom to see the finished dress until the bride was in it. “Yes, come in!”
Girion entered, face tired, but smiling. “The wedding is at noon.”
“I know.”
“Twelve hours.”
