Chapter 10: A cordial rescue
Annalise was so struck by Soren’s words that she hadn’t even noticed him retake her hand, and when he bowed before her and brushed his lips over her gloved hand, she feared her heart would stop beating.
“Captain Soren… I…”
He smiled as he straightened, moving her hand back to her side before letting go as if she were made of glass. “Thank you for the dance. I promise to call on you tomorrow after court and will be sure to have a selection of my finest stories to entertain you with. It was a pleasure speaking with you again, Princess Annalise.”
Annalise was halfway back to her harp when she felt a hand on her elbow. She turned to find Ambassador Selveg waiting to speak with her. When they made eye contact, he took a step back and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness. I have not yet had the chance to make your acquaintance, but I am Selveg.”
“The ambassador from Rhinnea, yes, I recognize you from earlier today,” she said.
“I hope that our request did not surprise you too much; we had no intention of springing any news upon you or your people. In fact, we had assumed that your betrothal to King Nelan was widely known.”
“It was quite shocking, to be sure, but I have recovered from it. Thank you for your concern.” Her eyes took in the ambassador. Up close, he was not as intimidating as she’d originally expected. He was of average height and medium build, his wavy black hair pulled back by a silver pin. A small scar bisected his right eyebrow, adding a somewhat mysterious air to an otherwise average man.
He leaned closer. “I want you to know that the hostilities between our peoples would not extend to you, were you to marry into our kingdom. King Nelan has heard the reports of your grace, intelligence, and discernment and is quite eager to meet you. We will welcome you with open arms.”
“You mean you would, if my father honors the betrothal, correct?” Unlike Soren’s eyes, which burned into hers with a warmth that made her head spin, Annalise had no problem maintaining eye contact with Selveg as they stood at the edge of the dance floor.
“I have little doubt your father will refuse us, especially with the joyous news he shared tonight.”
“And what of your new king? You say he’s heard of my good qualities, but what of my curse? What use can a woman who cannot bear children be to a man like that?”
“We employ quite a few accomplished scholars. Perhaps your Doveans may have struggled to remove a curse, but I’d be very surprised if our healers or mages aren’t able to find a cure.”
It was only with supreme self-control that Annalise stopped herself from rolling her eyes. When her curse had first made itself known, her father issued decreed that he would grant anyone who healed her of it their own lordship along with whatever else their heart desired. The only caveat was that anyone who attempted to remove the curse must put their cure to the test by placing their own life on the line.
Four of the self-professed greatest healers in Dovea and the surrounding kingdoms made the attempt, as did an assortment of mages, witches, and one notable gentleman from a distant land who called himself a wizard.
Some chanted incantations over her while she sat under the full moon, others prepared foul-smelling potions to drink, and the wizard had her perform a seven-step cleansing ritual followed by slapping her face with a long bundle of burning herbs while chanting in a strange language.
All of them gambled for their heart’s desire and paid with their lives.
For Selveg to imply that she still had her curse because everyone else who had attempted a cure was incompetent was laughable, but he did not seem the type of man who handled laughter at his expense well.
Just as Annalise realized that she had remained quiet for far too long and that Selveg was waiting for a response, Soren appeared at her side. “Your Highness, here is your drink, as requested. I apologize for the wait. One of the court ladies imbibed a bit too much and was making a scene at the refreshments table.”
She took the glass he offered her, grateful for the rescue. “Yes, thank you, Captain Soren. I am positively parched.” She turned to the Rhinnean ambassador and allowed her eyes to crinkle around the edges, even if she didn’t smile under her mask. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ambassador Selveg. Please enjoy yourself. The night is still young.”
To his credit, Selveg knew when he’d been dismissed, and with a bow he made his farewell.
Soren offered Annalise his arm, and when she hesitated, he shook it impatiently and raised one eyebrow. “Surely after that you don’t expect me to let you walk back to your harp unescorted,” he said, a small smile playing around his lips.
Annalise laughed as she took his arm, confident in the combination of her gloves and his long sleeves. “I really shouldn’t be surprised. As I recall, you always were incorrigible and enjoyed taking risks.”
“Offering you my arm isn’t a risk.” He hesitated, as if he would say more, but shook his head and sipped from his drink.
Once he’d guided her to her seat next to her harp, Annalise excused herself and turned away to lift her mask and sip from her drink. When she turned back, Soren was watching her curiously.
“Why do you do that? Keep your mask on even when it’s a meal time?” he asked.
She winced at the memory. “It’s not good luck to tell you right now, not tonight. If you ask me tomorrow, I can explain.”
A smile broke across his face, turning it from brooding and mysterious into a warm ray of sunshine in a near-instant. “So you’re truly okay with me visiting you tomorrow?”
“Of course. Why would I not be? Are we not old friends?”
Soren opened and shut his mouth and then smiled as he took another sip of his drink. “We are, and yet you still surprise me.”
“Thank you for rescuing me from the ambassador. I have a feeling the conversation was about to get rather… uncomfortable,” Annalise said.
“You’re welcome. What else are old friends for?”
Annalise laughed. She didn’t know why she was laughing, and he certainly had said nothing funny, but she couldn’t help herself. Something about seeing the boy who had been her childhood playmate all grown up, and knowing that even after the years apart that he was still looking out for her made her heart flutter and a happiness that she hadn’t felt for a very long time bubbled in her chest.
Soren, Goddess bless him, laughed along with her. When they had both finally quieted, and he wiped tears from his eyes, he bowed to Annalise. “I believe it’s time to take my leave. I’m sure the people of your court miss your exquisite harp-playing skills, and I would hate to keep you from your duties any longer. It was good to see you, and I look forward to visiting more with you tomorrow.”