“I’m sorry, but also, that’s hardly an easy task. You’re not exactly inconspicuous.” Jocasta said the words before she couldstop herself and think better of it. Was that insulting? Did it come off as criticizing the King of Caledon?
To her relief, he just looked down at himself and sighed. “You’re right about that. I’m here to see the mage Jocasta. I take it that’s you?”
“You’re here to see me? I mean, yes, I’m Jocasta. And yes, I’m a mage.”
“A powerful one. Wind and water?”
“Wind and water. Why? I mean, why, if I may ask, Your Majesty?”
“Because I have need of a mage, and I would ask if you were open to hearing a business proposition that would bring your family and yourself great wealth and honor, and a chance to help all of Caledon.”
Wealth. Help. Her face spoke loudly, but her lips parted silently.
Girion pressed, stepping closer. “Please, at least listen? I know you are a healer. You could heal much at once if you would give aid to your king.”
Her brown eyes met his blue, and she spiraled into them, lost in a crystal blue intensity that captured her breath and made it hard to think. She felt her head bob without her thought directing it.
Theysay the shifter kings have magic in their veins, magic that keeps the Wylding Kingdoms together, alive. Did he enchant me?
Girion pulled his cloak back up over his head and pulled the shutters closed on the shop window. “Thank you. I don’t want everyone to know that I am here. Will your parents keep a secret if you ask?”
“My parents are loyal. We’ve lived in Caledon for five generations.”
“All right.” He coughed, turned to look at the shelves in the back of the shop, and then whirled to face her. “I need a bride.”
HIS WORDS WERE TUMBLINGin his head, crowding his mouth, but in the silence of the small shop that smelled of smoked fish, herbs, and woodsmoke, he was pleased to hear each phrase coming out in an even and commanding tone.
“Caledon’s magical line is depleted. I have tried to heal it alone, but I cannot. The hot springs are dying. Freezing over. Warm breezes offer no relief. If I don’t do something, the humans and shifters from other kingdoms will be driven out, unable to survive. I don’t want that. So, as our laws and customs dictate, I must take a bride. A bride who is a powerful mage will heal Caledon and bring the heat and life back to it from the moment she takes the royal title. There need be no consummation, nothing more than an alliance for the restoration to begin.”
Jocasta sat down hard on a wooden stool behind the counter, then bounded up, looking terrified, as if he would care if his future queen sat in his presence.
“And since I offer you the title of queen as part of an alliance between our two families,” he rasped, then coughed, his voice returning to its customary gruff sternness, “you must have something in exchange for the help and aid you give to the throne. I will buy the land your family lives and works on, outright, and give the deeds to you or your parents, whichever you deem best. I will buy your boat, and hire a crew to run it, hire workers for the store and smokehouse, offer your family lodging within the palace at Tundra Springs, or buy them a second property in the city so they’ll be near you whenever you wish. In addition, I will pay whatever bride price you ask.”
There. He could breathe again.
For a second.
Jocasta didn’t reply. She stared, blank-faced. Alarmed, even.
Sometimes, when allies were hesitant, a show of force could be useful.
Not here. Not in this case.
She was everything Cole said: small, sturdy, and perfectly pretty. He had never seen such perfect, round cheeks, such full lips. An angel’s face, and powers of the divine to match.
“Please think about it,” he whispered.
PLEASE THINK ABOUTit? What did hethink she was doing?
The most powerful ruler of the Winter Kingdoms—some said of all Wylding—was asking for her hand in marriage. He was not courting with love and sweet words. He was asking for help with practical terms. Generous terms.
He must be in desperate need.
I could ask for whatever I wanted—except his terms are so complete. He’s already thought of everything I wanted. Everything I need. Everything that would help my parents and make their lives easier. The Fox will not be able to toy with us again, not if the shop is ours outright, and the boat, too. And a second house, in Tundra Springs! Mother would love that. I bet she could have carriage rides, grand cloaks with dyed furs, and father could have a gold pocket watch, like the one he sold to pay for Amos’ funeral.
“What must I do as queen?”
The question popped out, surprising her.
