Born of Blood (The Valdir Chronicles Book 3) Page 12

  “Esteemed guests. Tomorrow night, after you have all rested, there will be a ball held right here in the throne room. I will have tailors sent to your rooms this evening to check whether anyone needs any clothing made. And we will showcase all our culinary delicacies with a banquet and share in some traditional dances.” She smiled graciously, and it transformed her face into something bright and warm instead of cold and beautiful. Kalina would have to wait and see if this woman was an ally or an enemy.

  “Thank you, your Majesties. You truly honor us,” Kalina said, bowing slightly.

  “Now please, enjoy yourselves for as long as you’d like, and tomorrow we will visit some more,” The King said and stood to leave. Kalina’s eyes narrowed as the Queen took his arm and led him from the throne room. Prince Endre followed his father with his eyes as the older man left the room, but his expression gave away nothing. Kalina turned away from eyeing the crown prince and found Prince Simen still beside her.

  “Would you like a tour once you are settled into your rooms?” His face was transformed, seeming eager and open, and Kalina decided that she liked him well enough. She still had no desire to marry him, but perhaps they could at least have a friendship to start with.

  “I would like that very much, thank you.”

  When Kalina opened the doors to the suite of rooms she was staying in, she was greeted by dark mahogany furniture and a few large hangings that hung suspended from the granite walls. The floors were covered in plush carpets in an attempt to warm up the space but it still seemed dark and gloomy.

  Delisa was already there, unpacking her trunk and airing the dresses to smooth out the wrinkle. Kalina collapsed onto the bed as Kari and Hilde, her ever-present shadows, searched the rooms. Kari had chosen Runa, Asa, and Gyda, the women Kalina had met when she’d trained with the Queen’s Guard a few weeks before, to come on this trip with them. Runa however, didn’t have a dragon, and had traveled with the other servants and guards on the other ship with Talon and his second in command, Captain Higgs.

  “The Queen’s Guard and myself will sleep in your changing chamber. There are already cots in there for servants, and in this place I’d rather be close at hand in case something happens.”

  Kalina agreed wholeheartedly and right now she was too tired to argue.

  “That did seem to go strangely well back there,” she said rolling her head back to look at the door. “I expected the King to be like his son, arrogant, rude, manipulative and controlling. But so far he has been nothing but gracious if a bit stand-off-ish.”

  “Didn’t he send you veiled threats in those letters?” Kari asked as she slouched into a nearby chair.

  “Yes. So I expected more of the same, but it seems he is either playing the long game, or it was unintentional, which I doubt.”

  “Did you see his wife?” Kari asked with a small derisive snort. Delisa, who was standing beside the bed near Kalina, shot a glare at Kari who put her hands up in defense. “She is nothing compared to you, Lisa.” Delisa smirked and went back to folding Kalina’s clothing. Kalina smiled up at the ceiling of the chamber.

  “Yes, she seems... odd.”

  “Odd is an understatement. What woman that age would want to marry an old codger like him?”

  “Money, fame, power, love…” Delisa chimed in. Kari and Kalina both looked at her. She shrugged innocently. “What? There are many reasons someone might marry someone of a different age.”

  Kalina realized Delisa was talking about herself and Kari. Kari was almost ten years Delisa’s senior, a fact Delisa was forever bemoaning and Kari was self-conscious of.

  “All of the above for her, except maybe love,” Kalina muttered.

  A knock on the door startled her and she sat bolt upright. She realized it was either one of her own entourage checking on her, or Prince Simen come already to fetch her for a tour. She still wore the same weather-worn cloak she’d walked in with and a salt-stained dress.

  Delisa went to answer the door, and after a whispered word, stepped aside to admit Leif into the room. Kalina hastily ran a hand over her wind-whipped braids and stood. Leif stayed awkwardly just inside the door, his hands clasped behind his back. Kalina both loved and hated to see him this way. She missed him terribly, and this strange silence between them was pulling at her heart. But she loved the way his shoulders looked in the Valdiran and Ethean uniform, a style she and Kari had come up with right after her coronation. It was specific to the Valdiran troops who fought in the Ethean army, and Leif, being the Ethean army commander, wore his own officer’s uniform. Her own Stanchon coat of arms, two crossed swords on a field of green, was finely wrought in silver thread across his chest, the red leathers of the Valdir on his legs and the uniform itself a deep maroon to match the red leathers.

  All Ethean army soldiers wore all green tunics with the crossed swords, but the Valdir soldiers wore maroon. It made them stand apart, just like their silver hair and their dragons made them stand out on a battlefield.

  “What can I do for you, Commander?” Kalina asked, the question coming out too formal, too much like she was his queen and not his former sweetheart.

  “I came to let you know that myself and Jormungand are staying down the hall and around the corner. Lord Illeron is across the hall from you, and Lord Averil is beside you.” He gestured so she would know which direction. “The tailors will arrive after dinner, which will be served in our rooms, or so we’ve been informed by Prince Julian. Talon and Captain Higgs are staying with the men down in the barracks. The King has graciously cleared out an entire wing for us.” He said ‘graciously’ with no small amount of sarcasm. Kalina knew he didn’t trust the King of Askor as far as he could toss him.

  “What about the dragons? Where is Maska?”

  “There is a large stable that was originally built to house draft horses and their wagons. It has been emptied for the dragons and they say it is quite comfortable.”

  Kalina let out a small sigh, one of her worries allayed. There was a pause then, pregnant with anticipation, with some unnamed emotion Kalina couldn’t name but her eyes met Leif’s and for a brief moment, she thought he might open his arms for her to run into them. His shoulders twitched, his fists clenched at his sides. But he didn’t reach for her, he just left them hanging, cold and empty. Kalina swallowed and straightened her spine.

  “Thank you, Leif. I will see you tomorrow then.”

  He bowed to her, then to Delisa and Kari before leaving the room. Kalina let out a breath and began unfastening her cloak, handing it to Delisa to wash and hang.

  “He loves you, you know,” Delisa said as Kalina began unbuttoning her dress. She froze, mid button.

  “What? No. He, we, there might have been something once but it’s gone. I’m promised to Prince Simen now.” She continued unbuttoning and shucked off her travel-stained gown and walked naked towards the bathing room. “I need a bath.”

  Soon she was soaking in a warm tub, steam curling around her in lazy circles as she lingered. She had already scrubbed herself from head to toe, more dirt than she’d like to admit coming away with the fragrant soaps that an Askorian maidservant provided.

  “What’s your name?” Kalina asked the woman when she came in to bring fresh towels. She was only a few years older than Kalina and very pretty. She had dark hair and the prettiest green eyes Kalina had ever seen.

  “Seri, your Majesty.” She curtsied low and Kalina smiled.

  “Thank you for the towels, Seri.”

  The maid blushed as Kalina stood from the bath and reached for one, wrapping it around herself. Delisa bustled in just then carrying a thick robe which she wrapped swiftly around Kalina, steering her back into the bedroom.

  “Since Prince Simen is coming to escort you about the castle we need to get you presentable.”

  Kalina smiled and sat before a golden filigree mirror, letting Delisa braid her hair down her back, letting pieces slip-free in soft waves. Then she dressed Kalina in a comfortable dress of green sil
k. Underneath Kalina wore warm fleece-lined pants to keep away the cold and a soft purple cloak went over top. Her blue and silver crown finished the ensemble. She looked ethereal in the mirror as she inspected herself.

  “Prince Simen won’t know what hit him,” Delisa said satisfactorily. Kari snorted from the other side of the room.

  “What is it, Kari?” Kalina asked, turning, one eyebrow raised at her cousin.

  “Nothing. You just look like a trussed up peacock.”

  There was a beat of silence before all three of them burst out laughing. Kalina bent over, her stomach aching at the image in her mind. Then she removed the purple cloak and reached for a spare wolf-pelt cloak.

  “You aren’t wrong,” she said, throwing it around her shoulders. “I’ll stick with something a bit more traditional.”

  A second knock made them all look to the door in anticipation. Delisa smoothed her dress and went to answer it. When she stepped aside, Prince Simen stood in the doorway, a deep blue cloak over his own shoulders.

  “Shall we, your Majesty?” He held out his hand which Kalina gratefully took. Kari stood and knocked on the dressing room door. Runa opened it and joined Kari as they followed the pair out of the room.

  Prince Simen led Kalina away as she looked back to give Delisa one final, fleeting look. Delisa gave her a small wave and an encouraging smile.

  Chapter 21

  Kari and Runa trailed behind Kalina and Prince Simen as they strode through the imposing granite halls of Winterreach Castle. Kalina was comforted for once by their presence instead of annoyed at being followed everywhere. They were her shadows that kept her safe. She relaxed a bit as Prince Simen tucked her arm under his elbow and led her towards the unknown.

  “How much do you know about Winterreach, your Majesty?” he asked, looking at her sideways, his amber eyes open and honest.

  “Please, call me Kalina.”

  He smiled at her.

  “That’s a very beautiful name. Kalina. I like the way it rolls off your tongue. It suits you.”

  Kalina bit her lip to stifle the giggle that almost bubbled up and out of her chest. She’d never had anyone say her name was beautiful and somehow it seemed absurd. What was wrong with her? She swallowed hard and smiled up at him in response.

  “Thank you, your Highness.”

  “Simen. Please. If we are going to be informal, then I must insist.”

  She nodded graciously. He was leading her down a dark hallway now, but ahead was an open space, light pouring down.

  “The castle was built five hundred years ago when the Askorians broke from the rest of the empire and reclaimed their homeland. It was built as a bastion against any who came to attack us, and in the last five hundred years, it has never been breached.” Simen gave her a history lesson as they entered a large room filled with lights. Chandeliers filled with candles hung from the ceiling, and people milled about. Most were dressed in fancy clothing, expensive fabrics, and jewels, which glinted at her from every corner. A din filled the room as everyone talked and laughed. One person cheered, making Kalina’s head whip around curiously. There were tables placed around the room at regular intervals, a small stage lit up one corner, and a long bar occupied another. Kalina frowned, trying to figure out what everyone was doing. Heads turned in their direction as they passed, murmurs following them as they wove through the crowd. But the prince beside her seemed unconcerned. She looked up at the high vaulted ceiling and saw that there was a balcony overhead, draped in rich curtains and occupied by plush couches that could be curtained off for privacy.

  “What is this place?” she asked, looking down at one of the strange tables as they passed. It was curved, with one chair sitting inside the half-moon and seven chairs sitting along the outside of the curve. Six of the seven chairs were occupied by richly dressed nobles, laughing and drinking as they played a game. A man in one chair wore a servant's uniform and Kalina caught the glimpse of playing cards and chips.

  “It is our gaming hall. Surely your castle at Ravenhelm has one?”

  Kalina shook her head in denial. She’d never seen anything like this place.

  “And what do you do in a gaming hall?”

  “Why, you play games! Here we play a myriad of card games and games of chance like Devils’ Crossing, and Wise Man’s Preach. I even enjoy playing Brazen on occasion.” He gestured around them at different tables, but she couldn’t discern a difference between any of the games being played. And she had never even heard of any of those games. She’d only ever played the one card game, Liar, with her friends.

  One nobleman sitting at a nearby table raised his glass to them.

  “Good evening, your Highness! Have you come to join us for a game?”

  “No, Lord Baymer, not tonight,” the prince responded with a smile. They continued walking, weaving between crowded tables.

  “Why come to a place like this to play? Why not play in the privacy of one’s own rooms with friends?”

  “To win money of course!” said Simen.

  “What? People actually waste money on this type of thing?” She turned to look at her escort, her eyebrows rising as she saw the grin on his face. “What a waste.” She turned back to the room as Simen’s face fell beside her. “What are the couches for? The stage?”

  “You can also come and watch a comedy play, or dancing, or spend time drinking with friends upstairs in the lounge.” He cleared his throat, visibly chastised by Kalina’s clear dislike of the room’s use. “Some call it the pleasure hall. I thought you’d like it. Most women do.”

  Kalina decided to let him down easy. She smiled sweetly at him and took his arm again.

  “I’m not like most girls, Simen. Show me the library, the stables, the practice yards. Show me where you are keeping my dragon and we’ll be fast friends.” She led him from the room and back into the hallway, leaving the noise and bustle behind. Once they were out of the crowded space, she felt like she could finally breathe again. Eventually, he smiled at her.

  “Then let’s go see the library.” And he turned their footsteps down a new hallway.

  A few gloomy passages and stairways later and they found themselves outside two massive wooden doors ornately carved. They were similar in style to her own Ravenhelm library doors, but the carvings depicted war scenes rather than the delicate carvings of wyverns and dragons that adorned her own. Simen pushed them open and they slid forward on silent hinges. The smell of parchment, ink, leather, and dust hit Kalina and suddenly she felt like she was greeting an old friend, her heart settling inside her. She let go of Simen’s arm and walked forward into the silence and welcome darkness of the library.

  Like her own beloved one, this library was dimly lit so as to avoid the possibility of fire, and to keep the books from fading or discoloration. Books sat on long shelves that led off into the darkness before her. Since arriving on Askorian soil, she’d felt unsteady, out of place. Now she felt a bit more confident in herself.

  “How big is it?”

  “It extends for the rest of this entire floor.”

  Kalina frowned. Her own library extended three floors and had to be at least twice the size of this room on each floor.

  “Oh, ours is much bigger,” she said, clearly disappointed. Prince Simen quickly stepped forward and took her arm.

  “Then let’s go visit the practice yards. They are near the dragon eyrie that we built.”

  That perked up Kalina’s interest, but she narrowed her eyes at the prince.

  “Eyrie? I thought your father said they would clear out a stable.”

  She watched carefully as Simen’s back stiffened momentarily before he relaxed and recovered.

  “My father was probably just having a laugh, a private joke. As soon as he knew you were coming to visit, he had an eyrie built for the dragons so that they would be comfortable.” He smiled at her but Kalina noticed that it didn’t quite meet his eyes. Her suspicion grew.

  “Strange. Your father doesn’t seem li
ke the joking type.”

  Simen remained quiet as he led her down another set of stone stairs that came out into a small courtyard. He led her through a wooden gate and into a large practice ground made of packed dirt. Large wooden stands surrounded it on either side, filled with currently empty seats. At the far end of the practice field, she could see the entrance to the barracks and stables, where a small group of soldiers in green and maroon were milling about.

  “There are your men. Shall we go over and see they are settled?” Simen asked graciously. She nodded and let him lead the way. She cast a meaningful look over her shoulder at Kari who strode a few paces behind and had heard everything they said. She knew her cousin would have things to say about it later.

  “Sir Talon!” Kalina called out and let go of Prince Simen’s arm to stride ahead of him. Talon was standing by the barracks door, speaking with Captain Higgs and a few of his men. As she approached, the men went inside after giving her a small bow and Kalina was left with Captain Higgs, Talon, and the prince.

  “How are the barracks? Are they to your liking?” she inquired of her friend. Talon brushed a stray lock of brown hair from his eyes, the light freckles across his nose and cheeks standing out on his pale face. No matter how much time he spent outside training his men, he never seemed to get darker, but his freckles always seemed to stand out more. And he had started growing a beard, making him look a bit older.

  “They are very nice, your Majesty,” he said formally, his eyes flicking to Prince Simen. “The King was very generous in giving over an entire barracks for our use.” He gave the prince a low bow.

  “It was nothing! That barracks was barely used anyways, and honestly, I’m happy to see it filled with smiling faces!” Prince Simen was pouring it on thick, really trying to impress Kalina. She turned back to Talon and rolled her eyes with a small smile.

  “It is our honor to be here, your Highness.” Talon bowed once more. Kalina fought not to roll her eyes. All this bowing and scraping. It was one thing she missed about being only with the Valdir. They never bowed and scraped. They never tried to impress her with fancy words, nor was deception the language they learned at their mother’s breast. They were straightforward, honest, trustworthy people who treated her with respect but not deference.