Authors: Barbara Ann Wright
Reinholt kissed their father’s signet ring. Da restrained himself to a clap on the shoulder, though Katya saw his shoulders twitching with the desire to embrace his son.
“Majesty, I, Reinholt Nar Umbriel, Duke of Lanaster, Lord of the Western March, Crown Prince of Farraday, seek entrance to the palace at Marienne,” Reinholt said. The sound boomed through the entryway and sounded so much like their father that Katya nearly sputtered in surprise.
“I, Einrich Nar Umbriel, Lord of Marienne, foe of Yanchasa the Mighty, King of all Farraday, bid you enter and welcome.”
Brom bowed over Da’s ring next, and he gripped both her hands in his and murmured a welcome that Katya couldn’t hear. Reinholt bowed to their mother and Katya, kissing each of their hands in turn.
As he straightened before Katya, Reinholt whispered, “Still not wearing dresses, eh?”
“I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
He snorted, and she noticed with glee that he barely held in a bellow. He’d been gone from court a long time, too.
Da turned to the gathered crowd, every inch a king. “Lords and Ladies, ladies and gentlemen, the crown prince and princess!” Cheers and applause rolled over them like a tidal wave as every single resident tried to outdo the others. Katya spotted servants watching and cheering from the palace windows but didn’t see anyone suspicious. The common people’s worship of Reinholt for his looks seemed more genuine than the nobles’ and courtiers’ favor currying.
They hurried Reinholt and Brom through the receiving line of nobles as quickly as they could, setting a new best time of three hours. At the forefront of the courtiers, Starbride offered a wink, and even though Katya couldn’t return the gesture, she appreciated it.
Once the family stood alone in their parents’ sitting room, they dissolved into kisses and hugs. “I had a safe, boring trip,” Reinholt said as he let Katya go. “Do I have you to thank for that, little K? I bet you’ve flushed out all enemies of the crown by now.”
Katya shrugged and fought a blush. Growing up, she’d idolized her older brother almost as one of the spirits; it was still hard not to be knocked flat by his praise. “All in a day.”
“Nonsense.” Brom added another hug to Katya’s already full repertoire. “You’ve done a wonderful job, I’m sure.”
It was a compliment fit for the decorators, but Katya understood that her sister-in-law was proud of her. That was all she needed to know.
“How goes it in the Order of Vestra?” Reinholt asked.
Katya glanced at Brom’s wide brown eyes and wished Reinholt hadn’t brought up one of the most dangerous parts of her life. Now was not the time for worry. “Same as always. Enemies pop up, and we deal with them.”
Brom’s grip tightened on Katya’s arm. “What sorts of enemies?”
“Now, don’t you worry.” Da took Brom’s elbow and led her to a seat. “You’re perfectly safe.”
“I was just thinking of the children at home.”
Maia shook her head. “Didn’t you leave Lord Vincent with them?”
“Definitely,” Reinholt said. “The trouble hasn’t been invented that could knock down the Champion of Farraday.”
Brom laughed, but the sound had a bit of force in it. “You’re right, I know you are.” She grasped Maia’s chin. “You look more lovely every time I see you, Maia, and more like your—”
“How
are
Bastian and Vierdrin?” Katya asked quickly. She didn’t know if Brom had been about to compare Maia to a dead parent or a living relative, but she didn’t want to take chances. “Does Bastian have his own horse yet? Did Vierdrin get the little sword I sent her?”
Brom fell to talking about her children with the same happy intensity as any mother. Reinholt chimed in, tidbits of this and that, though his contact with the children sounded more limited than Brom’s. His duties kept him too busy, or so he claimed. Katya chuckled at the thought. Reinholt sounded more like their father all the time.
“Still,” Brom said, “there are days when they come bursting into our bedroom at the crack of dawn, and we wish they were with their grandmother and grandfather.”
“Ah, anytime!” Ma said. “I miss the voices of children.”
Reinholt chuckled. “We can fix that for you, Mother. One month with ours and you’ll be full up for another few years.”
“Never, dear, never.”
“Distance gives one the opportunity to seem like the perfect grandparent,” Da said. Ma gave him a cold stare while the rest of them laughed. Soon enough, Ma smiled with them, looking more relaxed than Katya had seen in a long time.
They separated to rest, and when they gathered again for their private dinner, Reinholt pulled Katya aside. “So, now will you tell me of your adventures?”
“No, Rein. One of my jobs is to keep the rest of the family from worrying too much.”
“You won’t tell me? This close to the Waltz? If there’s anything wrong—”
“I’m on it. My team is on it,” Katya said. Reinholt rubbed his chin, his eyes half-hooded as if disappointed. Katya squeezed his shoulder. “Let me worry about protecting you. It’s my duty
and
my honor.”
He smiled the soft Reinholt grin he reserved for friends and family. “I won’t step on your toes, little K, but I do want to be prepared.”
“Crowe will prepare you as much as you need to be.”
“So, I understand we’ll be entertaining a special guest at our private table this evening.”
Katya couldn’t contain a grin. “I remember the first night you brought Brom. Mother made looking her over into an art form.”
“Ma’s good. Brom never suspected a thing. Has she checked out your girl yet? This is the first time you’ve brought someone to dinner. Unless you’ve been doing it since I’ve been gone.”
Katya thought back on all her past conquests and winced. “She’s the first. There was one other I considered—I thought I was in love—but Mother stared at me for a good five minutes before she said no.”
“Oh, that stare. It’s like she can tell if it’s real before she even meets the person.” He shuddered, his expression one of mock horror. “She always knew when we were sneaking sweets, too.”
Katya snorted. “She agreed to dine with Starbride after only a little stare.”
“Starbride?”
Katya could picture Starbride’s impatient look upon the repetition of her name. She nodded.
“Allusian?” Reinholt gave her a long look, a half leer hovering around his mouth. “You blushed, and now you’re grinning like a loon. Is consortship soon to follow our little dinner date?”
Katya’s stomach tilted to the side. “Mother wouldn’t be happy if I asked her to be my consort this early in our relationship, though we’re already known as a couple.”
“But you’d ask her if you could?”
“Yes.” Katya couldn’t keep all her feelings inside. That was the spell Starbride cast on her.
To her surprise, Reinholt gripped her shoulders and beamed. “I’m so happy for you, little K.”
She was surprised to find tears at the corners of her eyes. “Thank you, Rein. She makes me very happy.”
“Then I like her already. But if she’s good-looking enough to have caught your eye, I can’t promise not to have a look myself.”
“Eyes are fine. No hands.”
Starbride arrived right on time dressed in a dark blue outfit similar to the shirt, trousers, and bodice Katya had bought her, except for the silver cord that outlined the bodice and then subtly coiled across the front, making spirals and small patterns. They might have been Allusian characters for all Katya knew. She wore a necklace of sapphires, simple and elegantly done. Her hair had been pulled behind her head, the front of it leading back in two braids to join the rest gathered at the back in gold wire. Katya had to fight not to beam. In the candlelight, her skin seemed to glow, and the flames made gold highlights in her hair. Her radiance put the light to shame.
She bowed deeply. Da took her arm and led her to a seat across from Katya before he took the head of the table. Behind Starbride’s back, Reinholt bit his fist as if he couldn’t control his desire before he took a seat beside her. Katya nearly threw her napkin at him. From Katya’s right, Brom nudged her in the ribs.
Katya tried not to roll her eyes. Starbride’s glance darted up and down the table, and Katya didn’t want her to worry over anyone’s wayward expressions. Most everyone approved. Ma’s face betrayed nothing, and Da nodded to himself, though he was smart enough not to express more in front of Ma.
Throughout the dinner, Starbride made polite conversation, but she seemed more subdued than usual. Katya tried to put her at ease, but Starbride’s quiet attitude would impress Ma more than her beauty ever could. Starbride didn’t fawn or laugh too loudly or bring up her own agenda every five minutes.
And
she didn’t flirt with everyone, a mistake some of the other courtiers might have made, thinking to move from the princess to bigger game.
After dinner, they were free to move about the room. Ma settled next to Starbride and asked about her jewelry. Katya blessed her mother’s name. Starbride warmed to the topic and exclaimed over Ma’s equally elegant pieces, a mix of fire opals and pearls.
“I like how your coat and her outfit match,” Reinholt said in Katya’s ear.
“If you’re going to make fun, go away.”
“Yes.” Brom moved up on the other side of Reinholt. “Stop teasing, and go rescue poor Maia from your father’s rant about clerks.”
Reinholt moved away with a chuckle. Brom sat next to Katya at the divan near the fireplace. “She’s very lovely, almost exotic.”
Katya ducked her head. She knew that Brom meant no harm by it, but she understood Starbride’s exasperation at being a curiosity. “She’s a wonderful person, very caring.”
“Catirin’s taken a shine to her.”
“She took a shine to you when you first met.”
Brom laughed her high, bell-like laugh. “She had me petrified, even as kind as she was. I felt like I was being weighed and measured, no matter what she said.” Her eyes went far away for a moment. “Sometimes, I feel it even now.”
“I know.”
“You can’t. You’re her daughter; you’ve never been on the receiving end of her true measurement. She’s got a way of looking at people…”
“No need to dwell. You passed. You’re here.”
“I’m sorry. I get lost in the past sometimes.”
“Should I rescue her?”
“At your peril.”
“Well, I know my mother won’t have me killed. Being her child guarantees that.”
“How about flogged? Whipped?”
Katya tilted her head back and forth. “Could be.”
“Is Starbride worth a whipping or two?”
“Absolutely.” Katya perched on the ottoman in front of Ma and Starbride, and her mother gave her a look that Katya knew was just for occupying a footstool. “What are we talking about?”
Starbride smiled “Horses.”
Another topic Starbride was familiar with. Katya almost winked at her mother; Ma seemed to sense that very desire. She sipped her brandy and stood. “I’d better keep your father away from the cakes.”
Katya chuckled and took her mother’s place. “I thought you might need a rescue.”
“Your mother is very nice. She’s just so…”
“Intense.”
“That’s a perfect word.”
“Having a good time?”
“Yes, actually, for being so nervous earlier. They’re all nice, and it’s wonderful to be at a family gathering where my mother isn’t tutting over my hair the entire time.”
“Your hair is perfect, but I could tut over it if you want.”
“It wouldn’t be the same. Your fixes would turn into caresses.”
“Do you think it would be too scandalous if I kissed you?”
“You’d better not. Your family has the same talent for watching while not-watching that mine has.”
“I’ve already decided that you’re worth a whipping or two if they want to punish me.”
“They’d whip you, but I’d be on the executioner’s block.”
“Oh no,” Katya said, using her court drawl, “they’re not that hard. You’d be married to some old landowner on the outskirts of the kingdom, far from where you could trouble me.”
“My mother wouldn’t stand for that. She’d ride in, carry me off, and marry me to someone else.”
“Spirits help us if our mothers ever butt heads.” Katya was silent for a moment, taking in the atmosphere and listening to the muted conversations around them. “Would you like to be my consort?” She couldn’t help herself, not with the candles and the feeling of being surrounded by family, not with the warm smile and skin perfumed with spice.
Starbride stared into her drink. Katya thought she might be holding her breath.
“It’s not marriage.” The fear of being rejected roared in Katya, something she hadn’t experienced in a long time. “It comes before marriage, when you’re…us. It’s like, official companion, more than just bedmate. It’s…” She bit her lip. “If you don’t want to, it’s all right. My mother would’ve had a fit if I’d asked before she met you, but I’ve wanted to ask, and I know we still don’t know each other
that
well, and that’s another reason I waited.” She was babbling, something else she hadn’t done for ages. Her grip tightened on her glass as she tried to think of something else to say.