A knock comes on the side of the carriage. I presume from the flurry of hand signals that are given just outside the window that it’s the attendant, Ty. Whatever the gestures signify makes the king grimace.
“The wyverns are waiting at the palace,” he says. “There will be no avoiding them.” He pauses, and his hand, which had stopped, begins its tapping again. “I’m sure Abley has informed you of the expectations.”
“Ah…” My voice trails off as I think of the least offensive way to respond.
Before I can say another word, the king lunges. Gasping, I flinch back, but all that comes is a band of cold spilling across my neck.
A necklace. He’s fastening a necklace.
“This is the Soul of the Sea,” he says, and when I glance down, my eyes open in astonishment. An enormous sapphire in the shape of a starburst rests just below my clavicle. I’ve never seen a gem this size, much less worn one.
The carriage pulls to a stop. Bracing himself on the wall behind me, the king says, “The wyverns will be waiting outside.” He draws back by a few degrees and pauses there, his breath sending a shiver down my neck
“Perform for me, Serah,” he murmurs in my ear, “and I’ll give you anything you want.”
7
Per—perform for me? I focus on steadying my breaths as the king withdraws and moves to open the carriage door.
What does that even mean?
Don’t be a fool, Serah, I chide myself, high color rising to my cheeks. The way between a man and woman has been explained to me in great detail, as my mother was of the opinion that these things ought not be surprises as they were for her. What else could the king be implying by his words and allowing me to wear a gem of this magnitude?
But I’ve only just arrived! Surely, his meaning lies elsewhere.
The Dragon King steps out and offers a hand to me, his eyes steady. I stare at the proffered hand as if it’s a contractual agreement: “Here, take my hand and let us be off to the bedroom.” My own hands clamp onto the underside of my seat.
The king looks at me. “Are you afraid?”
A lady does not lie, I hear in the voice of one of my tutors.She demurs.
“Perhaps,” I say.
He cocks his head at me. “There’s no need. You are with me. The wyverns would not dare touch you.”
Thewyverns. Of course. He means for me to perform well in front of the wyverns, whoever they may be. I’m flooded with relief and more than a little embarrassment.
“Ah,” I say. “thank you for the reassurance, Your Majesty.” Placing one hand in his, I touch the necklace with my other as I step out onto the narrow carriage steps. “And I thank you for allowing me to wear such a treasure.”
He stiffens at my words. “I hope you will wear it always. It is yours now.”
I’m so shocked that my foot slips, and I careen right into his arms.
The king doesn’t shift an inch as my weight crashes into him. He merely catches my shoulders and goes on talking as if my cheek isn’t pressed against his chest.
“I was under the impression sapphires were an acceptable choice. Have I been misinformed?”
Face burning, I peel myself off him. Not only is this my second gaffe of the day, but palace staff will surely be watching our arrival for bits of information to pass along the gossip trail. By the end of the day, I’ll be known as the princess who can’t walk down a slope or stairs without incident. I straighten and try to regain some dignity.
“No, Your Majesty, you were not misinformed. Sapphires are a particular favorite of mine.”
“As I was told,” he says, his face stern.
Who would have told him such a thing? Certainly not Abely. “Forgive me, for I was only surprised. In Vasna, such gems would only be worn by the queen, and even then, only at formal events.”
I don’t mention that none of the royal jewels compare with the one hanging off my neck.
“You are no longer in Vasna.”
