Chapter 36

The next morning, Annalise donned her mask with an air of finality before she left her tent. Judging from the dark circles under his eyes and his drawn face as he ate breakfast, Soren looked like he hadn’t slept at all the night before. Elsabeth was also subdued; she spoke very little and sighed profusely whenever her gaze fell on Annalise’s packed bags. 

They travelled to Rea in silence. 

Annalise reflected as they rode that even though the sun was bright, the birds singing, and it appeared to be shaping up to be a lovely winter’s day, they might as well have been on their way to a funeral with how lively they were. She realized with a grim start that they might very well be walking to a funeral—her funeral, if King Nelan didn’t heed the warnings about her curse. She couldn’t imagine Soren killing her after his impassioned words the night before, but she harbored no doubts about the Rhinneans if their king ended up injured or dead by her hand, accidental or not. 

Soren was riding just ahead, scanning their surroundings. He rode with confidence, and his strong, broad shoulders looked as though they could carry the weight of the entire world on them with ease. For a moment, Annalise allowed herself to dream what life might have been like had she taken him up on his offer the night before and let him spirit her away from all her troubles. 

They would have grabbed their bags and saddled their horses—she was sure her aunt wouldn’t mind if they absconded with their steeds. They’d ride until they finally reached the sea. There they would buy tickets to some distant land where no one knew who they were, and together they’d set off on a grand adventure. Then, when their adventuring days were over, they’d take their earnings and settle in a small town and do exactly as Soren suggested—he’d raise flax and sheep and she’d tend their kitchen garden and weave fine cloth. They’d sell their wares in the market, and while they wouldn’t be rich, they would at least have each other and their love. 

Annalise held the dream like a ribbon of delicate lace before letting it slip from her fingers. There was no use dreaming about things that couldn’t happen, and even a cursory amount of scrutiny ripped the dream-cloth to shreds. It would take days to reach the sea, and in the midst of winter with just the two of them and minimal supplies, it wasn’t like they could camp outside every night. Even if they slept in Soren’s small tent, all it would take would be a brush of his hand against her cheek for their happy future would go up in smoke.

They’d have to stay at an inn, but those were few and far between, and if word of their escape spread, Annalise had no doubt that there would be soldiers from both Dovea and Rhinnea looking for them. If their fortune held and they made it to sea, what then? A quick marriage that couldn’t be consummated? A life spent in a sleepy village where Annalise couldn’t touch any of her friends or hold their babies? A lifetime of searching for an end to her curse that, if it didn’t materialize, would only lead to disappointment and broken dreams? 

No, there was no use in dreaming when her true reality was staring her in the face. She’d had a choice, and she made it—the lives of her people, and Soren’s safety and future, were worth far more than her happiness. She didn’t have the luxury of being selfish, and she wouldn’t let them down even if it killed her.  

Half a mile from the city, the road ran through a meadow. There they met up with the Dovean company, who had been waiting for them. At the commotion caused by Soren and Annalise riding with a group of foreign guards, Priscilla exited the carriage. 

She ran to Annalise and skidded to a stop directly in front of her before dropping into a low curtsy. “I’m so glad to see that you are safe, Your Highness. I’ve been so worried about you and feared for your safety these past weeks.” When she looked up, her eyes fell on Annalise’s partial mask. “Are you okay, Princess Annalise? What happened?” 

Annalise smiled and motioned for Priscilla to stand. “It’s been a long journey and quite the story, but I assure you I am unharmed. I’ve also gained another attendant to add to our small group. Priscilla, this is Elsabeth, my new lady’s maid.” 

Elsabeth stepped to Annalise’s side and performed a shallow curtsy. “Hello, Priscilla. Princess Annalise had told me many wonderful things about you.”

Priscilla’s mouth opened in surprise when she took in the sight of the older woman, although to her credit she recovered quickly and returned the gesture. “It is nice to meet you, Elsabeth. I’m sure we will have plenty of time later to get to know each other.” 

“Likewise.” 

Annalise caught Soren’s eye as he spoke with Lieutenant Rorarck and Captain Padrin, and something in his expression beckoned her forth. 

“If you two will excuse me, I believe I am needed elsewhere,” Annalise said as she took her leave of her two maids, who were eyeing each other like rival house cats. 

“Is there a problem?” Annalise asked as she joined the men. 

The three of them dipped into bows, and she was reminded that despite the relative freedom she’d enjoyed while in Murana, a return to real life meant a return to increased formality. 

“No problem, Your Highness. I was just telling Captain Kierson that I can send a messenger into Rea at his earliest convenience to inform them of your return.” Lieutenant Rorarck looked between Annalise and Soren and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m afraid that when the Rhinnean delegation told King Nelan’s representatives about the nature of your kidnapping, they were very unhappy at the delay of your arrival but didn’t offer to send any men to help and seemed more than content to wait for your eventual rescue.” 

At his words, Annalise understood what had caused the tense expression on Soren’s face. She shoved down her misgivings and folded her hands. “I understand. In that case, I’m sure they’ll be ecstatic that I’ve returned a month before the spring equinox. Please send the messenger as soon as you are able so that we may move into Rea. It would be most unfortunate if another band of bandits attacked us while we were camped directly outside the walls of Rhinnea’s capital.”

“My men and I will wait here until you’ve been escorted into the city,” Captain Padrin said.

“That’s really not–”

“I insist, Your Highness. Lady Telimary will have my head if I don’t ensure that you are safe, and it will be most inefficient if we leave now only to have to turn around to rescue you once more.” The normally taciturn captain’s smile was gentle, and even without his esteemed lineage, Annalise could understand why so many young women in Orighet had smiled and batted their eyes at him whenever he walked through the streets.

 “I will arrange it, Your Highness. Captain Kierson, I can muster the men for your inspection, if you’d like,” Lieutenant Rorarck said. 

“Yes, I think I would appreciate that. Would you care to come along, Captain Padrin? I’m afraid the last time you saw Dovean guards it was under rather unflattering circumstances,” Soren said. 

Annalise stepped away. “I will leave you three to it, then. If I am needed, I’ll be with my lady’s maids.” 

On her way back to the carriage, Annalise ran across Priscilla, who was returning from the forest with her arms full of firewood. 

“My lady,” Priscilla said, dipping into an elegant low curtsy that was quite impressive considering the bundle she carried. 

“Hello, Priscilla. I assume those are for the brazier?” Annalise asked with a nod at the sticks. 

“Yes, ma’am.” 

Something in Priscilla’s voice, or perhaps it was the way she kept her eyes downcast, didn’t sit right with Annalise, and she slowed to a stop. “Is there something bothering you?” 

Priscilla nodded, but didn’t look up. “Please forgive me for my bluntness, Your Highness, but has my service to you been lacking?” 

“No, of course not. Why would you ask such a thing?” 

“You’ve hired another lady’s maid. Is there something I’ve done that displeases you? Were you expecting me to ride with the guards to come to your aid?”

“Not at all. Priscilla, please stand up. Are you okay?” 

Priscilla finally stood and looked at Annalise, her brown eyes shining with unshed tears. “If that’s the case, why have you replaced me? Are you going to send me back to Dovea?” 

Annalise’s heart went out to her maid. “Of course not. Priscilla, how could you think such a thing? As I said before, I’m simply adding to our little group.” She stepped closer to Priscilla and lowered her voice. “There’s no need for jealousy. You are one of the few people I trust, and nothing will change that. Elsabeth was my mother’s maid, but King Evert sent her home when my mother died. Having her close makes me feel like I have a small piece of my mother again, and truthfully, she’s wonderful. I think both of us can learn a lot from her, if you’ll let her teach you.” 

“Are you sure you can trust her?” 

“With my life.” 

Priscilla swallowed and nodded. “In that case, for you, Princess, I will give her a chance.” 

Annalise smiled and bent down to pick up a few sticks that had fallen out of Priscilla’s arms. “Thank you; that’s all I’m asking. Now, come, let’s go talk to the newest member of our party.”