Chapter 38

They met the Rhinnean contingent outside Rea’s city walls. Over twenty mounted Rhinnean men waited on the other side of an open field. Nearly all were dressed in plate armor that gleamed in the winter sun, with the exception of one young man who wasn’t much older than Annalise. He was tall and broadly built, and the red and gold woven into his tunic matched the simple gold crown resting on the black curls of his head.  

Annalise’s carriage was flanked on either side by Dovean guards, and Soren and Lieutenant Rorarck sat on horseback several feet in front. The air was thick with tension, and as she exited her carriage and walked past Soren, she could see the tense lines in his face and his grave expression from the corner of her eye. Still, she didn’t hesitate and continued towards the Rhinneans until she stood in the center of the open space between the two groups. Across from her, the young man leaned over to speak to one of his attendants, an older man with a salt and pepper beard, before swinging down from his magnificent black stallion and handing his reins to a groom. 

As he approached, Annalise studied his form. His hair was the color of blackest night, and his eyes a dark brown like a winter forest wood wreathed in shadows. Up close, his jaw was strong and his face well-formed, and Annalise could find nothing unpleasant in his countenance.  

“I am King Nelan, and you must be Princess Annalise,” he said, bowing deeply. 

Annalise returned his bow with a deep curtsy of her own. “I am. It is nice to finally meet you, Your Majesty.” 

“Likewise. If you will permit me a favor, would you mind removing your mask so that I may see my future bride?” 

Annalise did as he asked. Despite the weeks she’d spent in Orighet without a mask, she felt almost naked as King Nelan looked upon her bare face. He studied her so intently that Annalise blushed. She wound her fingers through the ribbons to give herself something to focus on, but refused to break eye contact. 

Finally, he nodded his approval. “Your Highness, I’ve heard many things about you, but none do your beauty justice.” 

“You flatter me, Your Majesty. Even in Dovea we know of the beautiful ladies in the Rhinnean court.” 

“You will outshine them all.” He reached out a gloved hand, and Annalise hesitated. 

“Don’t worry, I know about your curse. As you can see, I’ve taken the proper precautions, and I am greatly pleased that you have done so as well,” he said with a curt nod to her gloves. 

At his encouragement, Annalise placed her hand in his. “I’m sure you have many things you wish to discuss regarding our impending nuptials,” she said. 

His beefy fingers tightened around her delicate hand like a snake constricting a small mouse. “I have some questions, yes, but it can all wait.” He raised his voice so that it carried to both of their groups. “I understand you’ve had quite the journey here. I am deeply sorry about the bandits, my dear princess. We’ve tried to keep impoverished Doveans away from our border for years now, but nothing seems to stop their raids or their greed. It’s a pity that you were caught in the crossfire. No doubt those depraved men were planning to use you to bargain with me.” 

Annalise lifted her head at the perceived slight. Her time with the bandits had been fraught with peril and terror, but she was positive they weren’t her countrymen. “Your Royal Highness, I am afraid you’ve been misinformed. The bandits were not Dovean. My people would have never attacked me or my men.” 

Nelan’s formerly amiable smile tightened at the edges and his brow darkened ever so slightly, but instead of worrying Annalise, the gesture soothed her. For weeks she’d wondered what kind of man her betrothed would be. She’d heard of the Rhinnean court—first the faintest of whispers in Dovea and then the rumors in Orighet, but now that the King of Rhinnea was standing before her in the flesh, her anxiety calmed. The dance they were currently engaged in was one she’d seen many times in her father’s court, and the annoyance flickering behind King Nelan’s expression set her on familiar footing. 

Before her betrothed could chastise her, Annalise spoke again. “The bandits were terrifying, lawless men. I’ve heard such tales of honor and valor about Rhinneans that I can’t believe they came from either of our kingdoms. Perhaps they were shades born of nightmare, evil specters of darkness taken physical form in an ancient forest who were on the prowl for innocent maidens. Their attack was quite shocking, and not something I would ever wish to repeat or relive. Even thinking of it now makes me feel quite faint.” As she spoke, she allowed her voice to rise an octave and gain a certain breathy quality, and she swayed on her feet, as if the very thought of the bandits made her weak in the knees.  

The ruse worked—King Nelan’s brow unfurrowed and his smile loosened. “Don’t fear, Princess. I assure you Rea is quite secure and well guarded. Once you are within her walls, you won’t ever have to leave again.” 

“Oh, that sounds lovely,” Annalise said as she pulled her hand away from Nelan’s and feigned dabbing at her cheeks with a handkerchief. 

Nelan’s eyes flicked over her shoulder. “Ah, you must be the captain of her guard. I’ve heard much about you, Soren Kierson.” 

“As I have you, Your Majesty.” 

Annalise turned just in time to see Soren perform a sweeping, elegant bow that was so deep it bordered on mocking.  

“Yes, well, do you have a reason to be interrupting my parley with my fiancée?” Nelan asked, his deep voice roughening. 

“Her Highness said that she was feeling faint and so I’ve come to ensure the safety of both herself and of you, Your Majesty.” 

“You think I cannot handle a fainting woman?” 

Soren’s face was impassive, although Annalise may have imagined that she saw the slightest tick of his left eyelid. “I would never suggest such a thing. Considering the nature of Princess Annalise’s curse, my intent was only to avoid a diplomatic incident. If a strip of skin were to reveal itself when she fainted and you, in your gallantry, caught her, I shudder to think of the consequences to either of you.” 

“Either of us?” King Nelan raised one eyebrow. 

“What Captain Kierson is saying is that my father charged him not only with my protection but also with my punishment if I were to use my curse. Please forgive him. I’m sure he doesn’t mean any impertinence but we’ve suffered through a long journey and I fear the tempers of my men are running hot,” Annalise said.

She’d kept her head demurely bowed as she spoke and wished she could stomp on Soren’s foot and force him to back down instead of staring at King Nelan like two wild stallions facing off. 

“I see.” King Nelan put his index finger under her chin and lifted it until she was staring him full in the face. “My ambassador said that the Dovean princess was cursed, but he said nothing about your peacemaking and diplomacy talents, let alone your beauty. It is an insult to you and I will have him flogged for not representing you fairly.” 

“I’m sure he meant no harm, Your Majesty,” she whispered. 

“I’m certain he didn’t, but one thing you’ll find here is that I don’t suffer fools or incompetence lightly.” The king stepped away, and Annalise suddenly remembered how to breathe. “I would enjoy riding through the streets of Rea with you by my side. Considering the history between our two peoples, I think it would be a good idea to get them used to the idea of an alliance sooner rather than later. What do you say, Princess Annalise?” 

Annalise nodded without hesitation. “It sounds like a wonderful idea.” 

“Perfect.” He turned, whistling two high notes and two low ones to his men and almost immediately a groom dressed in a red and gold livery strode forth. “I brought a suitable mount just in case our introduction went as well as I hoped. I pray he is to your liking.” 

Annalise appraised the grey horse the groom led with a critical eye, as if she could judge the intentions of her betrothed by the horse he offered. The gelding was of medium height and build, but his head was fine with large, clear, dark brown inquisitive eyes and delicate ears, and his coat was the color of melting spring snow. As she watched him walk towards her, she noted his easy gait and his clean, well-muscled legs. His bridle was made of polished black leather, and a red saddle pad trimmed in gold sat under a shining black sidesaddle. 

“He looks to be a fine beast,” she said as she accepted the reins from the groom. 

“His name is Misthaven. His mother is a favored mare given to me as a gift by a desert kingdom far to the south when I came of age, and his father is one of our best stallions, the same sire as my current mount. He is as gentle as they come. In fact, I don’t believe he’s ever spooked, let alone thrown a rider, even when first broken to saddle. If you like him, he is yours.” 

Her hands paused in their stroking of the gelding’s nose. “A prince among horses, then. You honor me with such a generous gift, Your Majesty.” 

“You are to be my wife, and Rhinnea’s future queen. This gelding is only the first gift of many.” 

Without a word, the groom folded his hands together to give Annalise a boost, and she settled easily into the saddle.

“Is everything to your liking?” King Nelan asked. 

“It is. Thank you for providing the side saddle; I have not had the chance to ride in one in some time,” Annalise replied. 

Both of his eyebrows rose. “You are used to riding astride?” 

“I am, although I am not wearing the correct dress for it today.” She smiled at him. “All Dovean noblewomen are taught both ways; one for pageantry and fashionable rides in the park, the other for hunts and more vigorous rides. Is Rhinnea not the same?” 

“Not at all… but perhaps that will change with a Dovean queen on the throne.” 

“It doesn’t have to. I may be Dovean at heart, but I have no desire to offend the Rhinnean people.” 

King Nelan’s smile was warm, although something about the way he bared his teeth made the hairs on the back of Annalise’s neck stand on end. “I think you and I will get along very well, Princess Annalise. Perhaps one day we will go riding together away from the crowds, and you can show me how accomplished you are at riding astride.” 

The purr in his voice made Annalise blush, which she hid by ducking her head and gathering her reins. “Yes, well, shall we be off?” 

“Your wish is my command. You may replace your mask now; it will certainly help the people understand who you are.” Nelan bowed to her before straightening and turning to Soren. “As the princess has been delivered safely to Rea, my guards will take it from here. Turn over her carriage and dowry to them, and then you and your men may return home. I have no further use for you.” 

His words were like a bucket of icy water to Annalise. She’d not expected to lose Soren so quickly and hadn’t been prepared to say goodbye yet. 

“You want them to return so soon?” she asked without thinking. 

King Nelan turned to her, his jaw clenching and his eyes icy. “Of course. There is no longer a need for your Dovean dogs now that you are safely in Rhinnea.”