They had spoken of treaties she was too young to understand, though Zinnia’s too-calm expression told her it was nothing good. Bramble had caught her spying and sent Alora back to her chambers, but from her window she had watched the envoys mount fire steeds that rode off into the air, catching the sunrays like pathways in through the sky.
That same blinding power now cleaved through Argyle.
“So many have fallen,” Caelum said darkly. “We cannot contend with their sorcery. They are powerful enough to have vanquished us in but a week, yet they have prolonged this war for months. At times I wonder if they toy with us, as a cat does with a dying mouse.”
Alora’s stomach twisted. “How many have you lost?”
He looked away. “Both my brothers.”
“Oh, Caelum.”
He shook his head. “I am the heir of my House now and everything has changed.”
They stopped beneath the ash tree where they used to sit as children and had carved their names into the bark. Those etchings were hidden now behind a coat of thorns.
“I’m… to be married,” Caelum muttered, not meeting her gaze.
The ache came swiftly, unbidden.
Alora smiled anyway. “To someone kind, I hope.”
“Theia has always been kind…”
That hurt more than Alora expected.
She recalled the shadow of guilt in Theia’s eyes. Her best friend had always known about her affections about Caelum. With the way he was gazing at her, he must have known too.
She kept her smile, nodding. “Then I’m glad it’s her…”
That was the thing about being half-fae. She had the ability to lie.
Caelum touched her cold cheek and Alora realized she was crying. “I don’t love her, Alora. I don’t think she loves me either. Not in the way I…”
Alora looked away, moving back. “Before I left, Theia had been engaged to Eisen…”
Caelum nodded, rubbing his face. “They were a perfect match, but when my brother passed, Duke Alder and my father agreed I should take her hand. A decision sanctioned by the king.”
Ah. Now she understood. When her father granted Lord Alder a duchy, it cemented his House in lasting prestige, raising his status and Theia’s. Making her a worthy match to wed the heir of House Basile, the oldest duchy in Argyle. Land and fleet, tied together through marriage. A brilliant move on Laurent’s part.
“How does Theia feel about it?” Alora asked tentatively.
Caelum gave her a wry smile. “She is your best friend, Alora. How do you think she feels?”
Alora sighed, shaking her head. She was right in sensing Theia’s guilt as well as her sadness.
“Theia doesn’t wish to marry.”
He nodded. “Truth be told, I don’t wish to marry her either.”
They fell quiet for a moment, looking at each other again with so much unsaid.
“The fates are cruel, aren’t they? They never give us what we want.” Alora faced the gardens, discreetly wiping her eyes. Since she was a girl, she had dreamed of marrying a charming prince who would take her away. At times she had pictured Caelum in that place, but instead… “My father intends to marry me off as well.”
Caelum took a breath then asked, “Who?”
Alora looked up at the slivered moon, wishing it would take her away. “To the son of the king who comes to invade our home.”
“Prince Eldrik?” Caelum growled, his jaw tightening. “By the Seven’s mercy, has your father gone mad?”
