“Naria?” he prompted. “Are you listening? This is very important.”
“Yes. Sorry,” I stammered, rubbing circles into the fabric of my skirt. I was really going to need some time to myself soon. A dark room, ideally. With a soft pillow, and a soundproof door, and—
“You’ll need to be separate from here.” The guard’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“What?” I rasped.
“No. Naria stays with me.” Lukas’s arm slipped around my waist almost protectively. “The other rulers will understand.”
“I do apologise, Your Majesty, but I’ve been given strict instructions that you are to each enter your own kingdom’s boxes,” the guard explained in a tone that suggested he really wasn’t sorry at all.
My breath quickened. “But I can’t—”
“She stays with me,” Lukas growled, cutting me off. “I’ll go in with her kingdom if I have to. I have advisors who can represent Drothmore.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option.” The guard shook his head. “Now please cooperate or I shall have to use force.” He whistled through his teeth at a pair of nearby guards dressed in identical blue tunics.
Smirking, the pair stepped forward just as Lukas drew his sword and shoved me behind him.
My chest seized.
“If you lay a single finger on her you’ll lose more than just your hands,” he snarled, raising his weapon.
One of the guards chuckled before drawing his ownsword. “I was told this might happen.” He grinned eagerly, marching straight for us.
My stomach dipped. This couldn’t be happening. Ahead of me, Lukas braced, preparing to swing while the two guards did the same. I knew my fiancé was strong, but there were two of them and one of him, not to mention the murderous glint in their eyes. This was so unnecessary, and all because of me! If only I was stronger. If only I could actually lead my people—
“I’ll go in alone!” I cried, out of breath.
The guards paused, and one of them let out a disappointed groan.
“Naria…” Lukas lowered his weapon. “No. You shouldn’t have to do this. I’m here to support you and I’m not going to let them force us apart.”
“It’s alright.” I steadied my voice. “If I can’t manage a simple meeting, then what sort of queen would I be?”
He studied me for a moment while I tried my hardest to mask the fear that was churning in my stomach.
Eventually, he sheathed his sword and nodded with a scowl. “Fine,” he seethed. “But I won’t let them get away with how they’ve been treating us.” He glared at the guard who’d originally met us at the gate. “Your king and queen will have me to answer to later.”
“Oh I’m certain of that,” the guard taunted with a foul grin. “Now please,” he turned to address me, “if you could follow my friend to the Corlixin box, and oh! I almost forgot to say…” He grinned again cruelly as Lukas was escorted off down another corridor. “Welcome to Ryntook, Princess Naria.”
CHAPTER 5
The Corlixin ‘box’ turned out to be a single plinth standing at the end of a vast meeting chamber. Chairs covered the floor, and seated upon them were dozens of advisors quietly writing on scrolls. As I was pushed down the hall, voices filled the chamber, their words punctuated by my loud footsteps. I couldn’t see any speakers, though. And it was only when the guard led me up to the plinth, before hurrying out of the meeting chamber, that I realised why.
Above me, jutting out from the cream walls were five decorated balcony stands – each one themed to a different kingdom. Waves and ships, carved from stone, framed Ryntook’s balcony. Hallshire’s stand was decorated withcarvings of wheat and grazing cattle. Dalking’s featured weaving branches and vines, while Drothmore’s was framed with stone and sword carvings. And finally, there was the fifth box, framed with carved potion bottles and familiar herbs.
The actual Corlixin box.
Except, for some reason, I wasn’t standing in it. I was alone on an empty dais, feeling like a prisoner about to be tried. While high up in the stands, seated on ornate thrones, were the rulers of the other kingdoms.
“Oh! Princess Naria, you’re here!” Queen Cora, the regally dressed ruler of Ryntook, smiled down at me. Beside her, with an equally welcoming smile, was her husband, King Ronan.
I tried to curtsy in greeting, but with the intense stares of everyone in the chamber now locked onto me, I could hardly breathe. Frantically, my eyes searched for Lukas’s, but for some reason his box was empty.
“It is a delight to see you again,” she continued, not bothered by my nerves. “Both Ronan and I were so pleased to hear that your people are receiving support from Drothmore. We only wish there were a way that we could help too, but with our difficulties in the seas, all our soldiers are still occupied.”
It calmed me a little to hear the genuine kindness in her tone – the same kindness that was present when we first met a few months ago at the Summer Ball. I couldn’t remember much of our conversation. Lukas had handled most of the talking that night while I was busy drowning my anxiety in crimson wine. But I remembered the pleasant way she spoke to me, and how she and her husband were one of the few nobles who seemed to treat me as an equal rather than a lost princesswithout a crown – or just another one of Lukas’s playthings.
