The next day, we arrived at the harbor. There was a coach waiting for us, along with a contingent of soldiers. They must have seen the ship on the horizon because by the time we had docked, they were waving and shouting in joy. Congratulations were given to the brothers as they escorted me off the ship, and a crew went on board behind us, to take over the ship's keeping.
The brothers helped me quickly into the waiting coach, helping me in before the cheering became too overwhelming. I appreciated that. I was already shaking from the thought of leaving the sea behind, along with my few days of happiness. I was becoming somber again, sitting in the coach surrounded by men I had begun to care deeply for, and whom I would soon say farewell to forever. I wouldn't cry. I didn't cry when the dragon abducted me, and I sure wouldn't cry now.
But I was sad. Sadder than I'd ever been. I had never been in love, so I was unable to recognize the feeling as heartbreak. But I now know that's precisely what it was. My heart was breaking at the thought of our imminent goodbyes. As the coach rumbled off, and the sea disappeared from my view, I rubbed my hands over my arms and shivered.
“Princess?” Arnet leaned across the coach to angle his face into mine.
The hunter's gaze was just as true as his aim. He focused on me like he was staring down the barrel of his gun. Like my heart was his target. But he had already pulled the trigger, hadn't he? I was bleeding out before him. So I didn't stop him when he knelt in front of me and pulled me into an embrace. In fact, I melted into his arms.
“Welcome home, Adelysia,” Arnet said into my ear.
I breathed him in on a gasp, his heat warming me as his scent filled my head. Pine and sunshine, that's what Arnet smelled of. His fingers trailed over mine as he pulled away, and then he eased back into his seat, across from mine.
“We have something to confess, Princess,” Barret said softly. “Please understand that the only reason we didn't tell you this sooner, is because we decided, all of us did together, that it would be easier on you, if you didn't know until the last possible moment.”
“What are you talking about, Barret?” I frowned at him. “What haven't you told me?”
“Your father offered your hand in marriage to any who could bring you home safely,” it was Hugin who replied. He looked at me steadily, but I could see the nervous twitch in his cheek. It was amazing how well I had come to know them within such a short space of time. I could read their faces like a map. “But, we went to save you as a team, because we knew it would take more than a single man to rescue you. We would rather have seen you safe, than gamble on that safety to assure our interests.”
“My father...” I trailed off, searching their faces.
Robyn's gaze promised sin-filled nights that would leave me shaking from pleasure. Arnet's vowed to dominate delightfully, using his strong body in ways I couldn't yet imagine. Hugin looked on me like he could stare at me forever, and be content with only that. But in the depths of his cerulean eyes, I saw a patience and steadiness that would no doubt endeavor tirelessly to please me. Then there was Barret. His look was shy but sweet. Here was the romantic, a man who would write me poetry and feed me strawberries before he made love to me.
My whole body began to tremble.
One of these men was to be my husband? I had never been so ecstatic in all of my life. Suddenly my future held a promise of happiness. A man I could love, and perhaps even have children with someday. I didn't even care which one of them I married. I was falling in love with them all.
“We each helped,” Barret said. “Hugin was the one who found you, and saw exactly where the dragon was keeping you.”
“But it was Robyn who was able to steal you away from the beast,” Hugin protested.
“Arnet killed the flying bastard,” Robyn shrugged.
“But it was Barret who saved us all in the end,” Arnet pointed out. “Without him, we'd be at the bottom of the ocean.”
I gaped at them. What sublime love they had for each other. I knew they wanted me, but they loved each other so much, they were arguing against themselves. I was certain this was how it would be when we went before my father. They would each list the other's contribution to my rescue. How would my father decide upon one of them? Would he ask me? Would it finally come down to my preference?
The thought consumed me for the rest of our journey, and I focused more firmly on the men, trying to decide. But my mind flew in circles, reliving the past few days as if there might be some clue within them, some key to making the right choice. But as the castle loomed into view, I knew I was no closer to picking a husband than I was to becoming queen.
Chapter Seven
I'm sure by now you've realized that there's more than one fairy tale wrapped up within my story. But I won't go further into those other events. They aren't for me to correct. Maybe the brothers will set their records straight some day. For my story though, we had finally arrived at the castle, my home. It was a relief to know it would remain so. I wouldn't be leaving the kingdom to live with another prince in his castle. As my father's only child, I was his heir. So, in the event that my husband had no kingdom of his own, we would rule this one after my father. Home would remain home. That alone was cause for celebration.
But then we were all taken in to see my father. Actually, both of my parents were waiting eagerly within the King's private library. They raced to me when I entered, and hugged me with relief. My mother was sobbing, and I began to cry too. I had thought I would never see them again.
Finally, my father pulled away and surveyed the brothers. “Which one of you has delivered me my daughter?”
First, Robyn produced Saunder's signet ring and handed it into my father's keeping. Then, they all replied just as I'd expected them to. Each one pointed to another as the key to their success. Round and round it went till my father held up his hands for silence. He frowned deeply, and then looked to me. Here it was. Time to make my choice. I could hardly believe that I was about to be given some part in deciding my own future. But my father didn't ask me to decide. He asked me what my thoughts were about the men.
“Tell me about them, Adelysia,” my father bid me, “that I may make a wise decision.”
I was a little disappointed. But honestly, I couldn't have chosen on my own. So I told my father everything I'd learned of the brothers. I told him what I admired about each of them; Robyn's charity, Hugin's keen insight, Arnet's honor, and Barret's resourcefulness. I told him how kind they'd been to me, how they made me laugh, and how their companionship helped me to get past the indignities Saunder had inflicted upon me. My father watched me carefully through the entire recital, and then went quiet for a few minutes. He looked to my mother, and her eyes went wide.
“No, you cannot,” my mother gasped.
“What?” I cried, worried that my father would refuse them all. “They are all deserving; you cannot deny one of them the prize you promised.”
My hopes for a happy future were dwindling before my eyes.
