“So I'll give you the short version. When I explained to Rhenor that I was pregnant, he was excited. I had never seen him look so ...” – she bites her bottom lip in contemplation – “full of life. He was so happy, like I was the Great Mother herself blessing him fromMohasha.”
“And he's okay with the fact that it may not be his blood?”
“Not bothered by it one bit. He said he knew I was with others, but I was still with him, and any child born to me – he will always accept. We still aren't sure where we stand, and in fact, it's a bit odd at times not knowing how everything will play out. I can't say I am in love with him, but perhaps there is love forming. We recently discovered we both have a love for music. Did you know he can play the lute? He’s quite good at it and his voice is beautiful when he sings.”
Imagining Rhenor singing and playing a lute does bring a smile to my lips, not something I would have expected. Twirling a piece of hair between my fingers I look up at the inlaid ceilings, contemplating out loud, “So you won't be sleeping with others anymore? Just like that, you're okay?”
“Mohasha,no.I mean I don't plan to visit the sailors or soldiers anytime soon … but Rhenor is still fine should I decide to do so. We both are. That's why last night we chose a coupletogether for the night. I was happy they chose us in return. We had a good night. The first night in a long time we have been more of a couple rather than two souls stuck together.” She mindlessly traces the pink shell embedded in her skin, the object of their marriage.
When two people are married we have a ritual in Antalis,Noko Maki,thewedding and shell ceremony. The night before the two betrothed are wed, they walk with their closest companions along the shoreline looking for the perfect shell or the one that calls to them. When it's found, they take it back and carve it into the shape of a teardrop. On the day of their marriage, a priestess gathers the shells and places them at the top of their sternums and it becomes embedded in their skin. A reminder of the bonds and oaths they have placed that day, and a hope for the future ahead. An outsider would probably think inserting an object like that into one’s tender flesh hurts, but the feeling is described as pleasurable as long as the other party is willing; it’s one of the few tangible reminders for our people that magic once covered this kingdom.
“Naxa,” Thylas' voice breaks through my thoughts. How long has he been standing there in the doorway? His eyes dart from side to side and the panic in his voice causes my heart to beat fast. His lips are moving but I can’t hear him. I can already tell the news will not be what I want. I can see it in his stance, in the way he's holding his head in defeat. The way Siphonie sits up quickly and squeezes my hand even tighter, tears brimming the edges of her lashes. I sit up on the edge of my bed, trying to focus on what he’s saying. But there is only a buzzing in my head, the sound of the blood rushing through my veins.
“Are you listening?” He steps toward me, putting his hand under my chin and forcing my eyes to look up at him. He bends down to one knee, his face directly in front of mine as his hand cups my cheek.
“Your father ...” His eyes glance toward the open window before he takes a deep breath, finding his words and looking back at me, licking his lips before continuing. His finger swipes back and forth across my cheek.
“Your father has decided that you will be wed in Shaston. We leave in a fortnight.”
twelve
EREON
Carnaxa walks out of the throne room, basically stomping as she does, her round ass swaying from side to side with every step she takes. King Clennom doesn't look happy as she walks away, rubbing circles on his temples. The old king is as stubborn as my own father, my father who still refuses to step down despite his increasing age. Though they must be close in age, King Clennom has aged better than my father, who has more wrinkles and scars than anyone I've ever seen. Doesn't matter,eventually, with the joining of Carnaxa and me, both kingdoms will be mine to rule over.
“King Clennom, I will continue to insist that the marriage ceremony be in Shaston. I will not change my mind on this.” I walk toward the center of the dias, now that Carnaxa is gone, I'll make my presence known, front and center. This is not a topic of debate.
“Prince Ereon, I am not trying to cause disruption with you or King Atlas. However, what happened last night was simply a misunderstanding, and it is not a reason to change the plans that have already been set. If you were worried about the affairs of my daughter, perhaps you should have made her your ally before now.”
To have the wedding in Shaston has always been the plan, he just wasn't aware of it. I was dispatched with the intent to bring her there quickly one way or another. My father insisted the wedding be done on Shastonian ground, not on Antalian. Since I left Shaston, I knew this was always going to happen, I just got lucky and she actually wore the clamshell at their little festival last night, and how fun a festival it was. What an absolute stroke of fate for me. Watching her as she danced with her guard round and round, his arm over her shoulders on the beach. I know that no one was brought to her rooms from what I was told, although he spent a considerable amount of time in there. But, it's enough of an excuse. Enough to get myself and my men, the few I brought and the ones I’ve acquired back home. What I’ve done should be enough to get me back in her arms, I hope.
“I don't need Princess Carnaxa as an ally. Let's not pretend that this is something it is not. This is not a marriage of love or one of your peoples’ rumors of ‘twin drops.’ You made the alliance and I care not for the circumstances around why you did. However, as the next king of Shaston and Antalis, I refuse to have my future queen consort be the talk of Shaston's gossip.If she is to be my wife then she is to abide by our customs and traditions – not those of Antalis.”
He slams his fist down on the throne, an angry vein marking the path from ear to collar as he growls, “She is heir to Antalis, you need to remember that. She can rule here without you or your kingdom. I am under the impression she will be Queen of Antalis, an equal to you for her kingdom, not queen consort while you rule both. ”
“Yes, she is heir, and as such she will bequeen consortto both kingdoms, but I will be ruler as the rightful king. Do not forget the promises that have already been made. Oaths to upkeep. Your impression of the conversation and what is written on the scrolls are two different things. She can rule here … without me, but for how long do you think she will last against our armies if we want to challenge her rule? When was the last time your men saw true battle? Because my men have been raised in battle, you might have us on the sea front but that wouldn’t help you if we descend via land,” I quip. I can't help but smirk and look him directly in the eyes. He knows of our armies. Our vast army, thePrel, is larger than theirShayi, an army mostly trained for war at sea, it’s what they are surrounded by. Surely they have training on land but would it be enough, is he brave enough to find out?
Since the death of Antalis’ former queen, the kingdom has been shaky as the deluc take more of their people with each passing season. Once favored and now no longer, just like the rest of us, they are no longer superior. Shaston has forever been out of favor with the Goddess, if one exists that is. Antalis craves peace within their borders, but Shaston ... Shaston was built on war and disruption and King Clennom knows this. He knows that while his fleet may be great, they have not seen real battle in some time. The Shastonians bathe in blood from early ages. Our men are always prepared for battle, since we still fight along the northern border against the monstrous creatures that lurk there.As heat melts the ice that encases them, their now rotten bodies descend upon us, never ending it appears.
Running my hands through my beard and shifting my weight from one side to the other, I watch as he tries to find a way out of this. A few small grains of sand catch my eye as I swipe them from the sleeve of my shirt, a perfect picture of someone who will not give in. His brow scrunches and he peers out the window as his hand rubs his jawline. Probably praying to his goddess for some sort of help. She hasn't been here for a while, she's not going to help you old man.
“Why is it so important that she marry in Shaston?” he sighs, and I already know I've won. He can't argue and risk the alliance, I’m sure he regrets the actions he made when he was experiencing such immense grief after the death of his queen, but oaths have been made and must be kept.
“Because, as you've mentioned, she will be their queen. We will live there, why shouldn't our life as a married couple start there? What is the purpose for your people to see her married when in fact after your death, it will be I who will rule both Antalis and Shaston? We agreed to leave your people in peace after this alliance, but do not test our limits.”
He straightens in his seat. “I'll agree but only with conditions. First, she will be accompanied by Thylas. He has guarded her since she was young and I trust him fully with her safety. I also want my niece,BêlitSiphonie, to act as the Antalian representative.BêlitSiphonie’s husband,BêlRehnor, shall accompany you to Shaston for the ceremony. They can return home when they wish as I know they will, but they are to remain as ambassadors.”
Popping the knuckle of my index finger I consider his proposal. “No.” He looks at me, shocked that I would dare continue to argue, but I will. My father will never allow a woman to hold any title with power, King Clennom should know this.“BêlRhenor can be ambassador, but not theBêlitSiphonie. Women do not have that kind of power in Shaston. And the twoambassadorsmust stay in Shaston. We will not entertain the idea that we have to wait for their arrival each and every time to hold political meetings; if you want an ambassador, make them stay.” In fact, the less native royalty in Antalis, the better. More Antalian royals in their home kingdom will perpetuate the peoples’ hope that Antalis can be under its own rule again; having them in Shaston keeps them out of sight and out of mind.
King Clemmon smiles, as if remembering a joke from long past. “Well, since you refuse to let women have power and you want someone there who can be in Shaston, I propose Thylas – he can become ambassador for this kingdom at the wedding. He will remain the Antalian representative even after my death and shall be included in all meetings concerning the Kingdom of Antalis. If his death should happen before he can name a replacement or if he would like to step down from his position, it will revert back to my nieceBêlitSiphonie and her heirs. She and her husband,BêlRhenor, will accompany you to Shaston for the wedding ceremony with permission to leave when they wish. Thylas will remain as Carnaxa's guard and will stand as the ambassador for our kingdom as I just laid out, do you agree?”
Fuck. I should have known his next option would be that captain. I was hoping he would go for theBelRhenor, but he wants them to have the freedom to come home. The Captain will be a problem.
The Captain thinks no one notices as his eyes trail her body every time she passes by or that no one watches him as he smiles just the smallest bit when she laughs. But I do. I didn't miss the look on his face as they danced last night, the way his hands stayed barely above her ass, just enough to keep it proper. If given the chance I have no doubt he would take their relationship further. That is not my father's plan and it iscertainly not mine. It is important to make sure that any child from her womb comes from me and me alone.
I roll my eyes and lick my top lip. I have to give him this, because unfortunately, he has a right to name a representative, we just hoped he wouldn’t. Foolish of my father to not omit that option from the contract. If Thylas is his named ambassador I have no choice, but I might have more options when we return.
“Fine. We leave in a fortnight,” I conclude, bowing slightly. I walk out of the room, my guards following behind me. The door slams shut behind me and I let out a breath. We walk quietly to our rooms and I can't help but let my mind wander. I hope that this will not infuriate my father, I did as I was told. I'm getting Carnaxa to our kingdom earlier like he wanted and the ceremony will be performed on Shaston land.
