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Rian
I had been present for both of my brothers’ weddings, but it was Reagan and Gwen’s ceremony that had me thinking of what my own would be like. In all of Kearnley, the man knelt before his bride. It was symbolic of the groom offering everything he was and everything he had at the feet of the woman he cherished above all others. Reagan said he had felt honored to be the one kneeling before Gwen. He said she could have had her pick of men, and she chose him.
My own ceremony was a disappointment. I should never have trusted Adrika’s uncle. He did not like me, and the feeling was mutual. He actually expected me to call him Uncle. Even King Farris called him Brother. I insisted on calling him by his name— Galik Anhalt. No wonder he preferred something else.
When he had instructed me on how the ceremony would go, he was adamant that it was to fulfill the wish of the princess. I had my doubts as I watched each expression play across Adrika’s face. If I had known for sure that things were not going according to her own desires, I would have stopped the proceedings and forced Galik to start over.
After everything settled down, my wife and I went for a stroll in the moonlight. This time we took the path leading toward the ocean. It was better than stumbling over the uneven mountain trail in the dark. We did not talk much. My mind kept wondering toward what was to come. Surely, she was thinking of the same thing.
When we returned to the veranda leading to the chambers we would now share, I allowed her to go in without me. In truth, I needed time alone in prayer. This marriage was important to me. I prayed for wisdom in dealing with my new wife. I asked that we might be a blessing to each other and to God.
I thought there would be no wonderment left for the marriage bed, for me at least. I could not have been more wrong. The connection to Adrika, a woman I knew nothing about, one who knew nothing of me, was unexpected and puzzling. What would cause such a connection? After much thought, the answer came to me.
It was freedom.
Freedom from sinful desire, from guilt, and from another unwanted pregnancy. It may have been the same physically, but emotionally, I gave a part of myself to my wife that I had never given to anyone else. It was too early to call it love, but it was a promise of love to come.
I arose early the next morning, eager to get a message to my brothers. I took a moment to study Adrika’s features in the faint light. She was lying on her stomach with her dark hair fanned out on the pillow behind her. One bare shoulder was visible beneath the bed coverings, and I had the strange desire to place a kiss right there. Instead, I decided to let her sleep for a while longer.
I half expected to be denied the chance to send the pigeon messages to Reagan and Garrett. The man tending the birds only handed me a couple of tiny slips of parchment and pointed to the pen and ink on the small desk. I stared at the parchment pieces for the longest time. What could I possibly fit on these tiny scraps that would convey everything I wanted to say to these two brothers I had not seen in over ten years? I wanted to tell them I was sorry for leaving the way I had, and that I was now married to the princess of Dermot. Would they forgive me? Would they approve of my choice of a bride?
One day, we would see each other again. It was too soon after my marriage to go to them, and I would not ask them to come here. However we met again, they would hear of my regrets face to face. How they responded would be their choice. I scribbled the same simple message on both scraps of parchment and sent them on.
I am here in Dermot. Rian.
Stopping through the kitchen on my way back to my chambers, I picked up a breakfast tray for me and Adrika. The mute boy who had brought me food while I was imprisoned stared at me the whole time I was in his presence. Did he fear retribution for his failure to come to my rescue after I had revealed my identity to him?
Adrika was sitting at the small table within our chambers when I walked in. She looked up at me when I sat the tray of food down in front of her, giving me a shy smile before looking away. A rosy blush covered the side of her face leaving me wondering what thoughts had flitted through her mind at the sight of me.
The presence of a woman with blond hair that was almost white and overly-done makeup brought me up short. She was digging through one of the wardrobes, while hardly taking a breath from her ongoing monologue. I had not seen her before the wedding, and had no idea who she was.
“I must meet with the prince’s personal groomer so we can coordinate your wardrobes. I just love it when couples dress to complement each other, don’t you? This will be your first outing as husband and wife. You must make the best of impressions. Don’t worry, Princess, I will make sure both of you are just stunning. What do you think of this outfit for morning church services?”
She finally turned to look our way with another one of those beaded garments that the princess sometimes wore draped over her arm. “Oh, Prince Rian, I did not realize you were in here.”
She dropped into a curtsy as her gaze swept over me from head to toe and then back up again. Her smile did nothing to cover the look of disdain on her painted face. “Is that what you are wearing to church, Your Highness?”
It was too early in the morning for so much chatter. “What is your name?”
“I’m sorry. We have not been properly introduced. My name is Kariann Fisher. I am the princess’ new handmaiden.”
“Could you leave us? I would like to eat breakfast with my wife alone.”
She patted the layer of clothing draped over her arm. “Yes, Your Highness. I will just go have this pressed.”
Surely the king would bristle at her calling me Your Highness, but I decided to let that be his problem to deal with.
Adrika jumped up from her chair and went to the closet. “I cannot wear that to church. I have a set outfit I must wear for every occasion, but we can go over that later.” She reached into the wardrobe and pulled out a blue dress that was very much like any worn throughout Kearnley and handed it to the maidservant. “Thank you, Kariann.”
For once, the woman did not say anything. She curtsied and left the room with both garments in hand.
“That was rude.” Adrika covered her mouth with her hand as she sat back down.
“Should I have not asked her to leave? I just wanted us to be able to eat in peace. I will call her back and apologize if that is your wish.”
“No, that will not be necessary. I should not have said anything. You certainly have the right to speak to the servants as you like.”
I reached for her hand. “I am your husband. You have every right to tell me when I am being a stubborn mule. I did not mean to be rude, but I know I sometimes come off that way. I promise to say please next time. Will you forgive me?”
One side of her lips quirked upward. “There is nothing to forgive. I must admit, it is more peaceful now that she is gone.”
I smiled as I removed the cloth covering the food. After I said the blessing, we began eating in silence. The quiet was a blessed relief from the chatter of the maidservant, but I would need to break the silence in order to get to know my wife. “You said you have a specific outfit that you have to wear for each occasion. Who decided that?”
She stared across the room as if she were in deep thought. “My father, or my mother, or maybe it was Damini, I do not know. It has just always been that way.”
“No one should tell you what to wear. You should be able to choose whatever is most comfortable.”
She looked at me then. I had a feeling she was planning what to say next—as if she was afraid of saying the wrong thing. “I suppose I must from now on since Damini is no longer with me.”
Their relationship had gone deeper than master and servant, or so I thought. “What do you mean? Where did she go?”
She touched her napkin to her lips before speaking. “My uncle insisted that it was time for her to return to Cordelia with him now that I am married.”
“I am surprised she did not wish to stay with you. I thought maybe she cared for you above what is expected of a servant.”
She tucked her chin. “Damini has been with me for my entire life. She was like a second mother to me.”
I touched the side of her face, and she looked up at me, her sorrow easily read in the glassiness of her chocolate-brown eyes. “I am sorry. Maybe it is not too late. If I speak with your father, perhaps he could talk your uncle into allowing her to stay.”
“It is too late. They left last night.”
Adrika was obviously hurting, and I wanted to fix it. If only I had known the day before. Perhaps I could have convinced her father and uncle that allowing the woman to stay would have been an apt wedding gift. Being powerless to do anything about it was frustrating.
We finished our breakfast, got ready, and walked to the church. Vicar Reeves greeted us at the door. I expected him to comment on the fact that I had married the princess, but other than the cheeky grin he displayed as he congratulated us, there was nothing.
This was the first time I had attended services in an actual church since my salvation the year before. Services were not readily available in Rivania. If a gathering was to be had, it was usually held in secret inside someone’s home. This service was not as lively as the ones I had attended as a child in Gilvary, but the vicar’s message was biblically sound and well delivered. I soaked in every word.
The next morning, I was summoned to attend a council meeting. I insisted that Adrika accompany me. According to the laws of Kearnley, royal married couples were meant to rule equally. I knew King Farris had not lived by this law and neither had my father, but it was how I planned to one day rule. When the time came, my wife would be by my side.
When we entered the meeting room, Farris sat at the head of the small table with two seats on each side. The other three men sitting there with him looked to be the king’s age or maybe even older. One of them had nodded off. With my hand on Adrika’s elbow, I felt a tug as if she meant to dip down into a curtsy, but I held firm. I led her over to the only unoccupied chair and helped her into the seat.
“We were only expecting you, Prince Rian. I do not believe it is necessary for Adrika to sit in on this meeting.” The corners of King Farris’ mouth were turned up as if he were in a pleasant mood, but I knew otherwise.
“If Adrika is not welcome, then we can both leave.”
The king steepled his fingers together in front of him. “As I remember, your beloved mother allowed her husband to rule, as is proper. It surprises me that you would want your wife by your side in dealing with these private business meetings.”
My jaw tightened at the mention of my mother. “My mother was weak. Had she been more focused on her responsibilities as a mother and queen, she may still be alive today. In fact, if she had paid more attention to her duties, more than one life may have been spared. Adrika will remain with me.”
My father-in-law’s nose flared above his tight lips. He was not happy but decided to comply anyway. “As you wish.” Farris snapped his fingers and his servant brought in another chair.
“Let me introduce you to my advisors. This is Arthur Harling.” The king motioned to the man still asleep on his right. “He represents the people of Dermot.” The advisor never woke from his slumber, but this did not seem to bother the king. He moved on to the two men sitting on the opposite side of the table.
“This is Kealan Thomas who represents Dermot to the outside world, and the man sitting closest to you is Hogan Faulkner. He oversees the defense of our kingdom.” Those two men nodded in my direction as they were introduced but neither of them spoke.
Farris cleared his throat, taking a moment before speaking again. “As you know, I am not getting any younger. One day you will rule in my stead. I have a lot to teach you, and I am sure you have a good deal of information you can share with me.”
I perked up at this unexpected statement. “I do have some ideas for the betterment of the kingdom.”
“Excellent. I remember you were your father’s favorite. He used to let you sit in on meetings and such. It was always his dream that one day you and my daughter would be married. I know he had a plan—one that would bring the country of Kearnley under one rule. He promised that you would be the leader of this entire country after he was gone. Surely you were privy to these plans. I wondered if you might share them with us.”
I sat back, disappointment sinking my spirits. The king had no interest in hearing my plans for the kingdom. He seemed to be stuck in a past I would just as soon forget.
At one time this country had been called Marta and was all ruled by one king. Over three hundred years ago, it was conquered by the Kearnley brothers who renamed it and divided it into three kingdoms so they could each rule. My father had been obsessed with bringing the three kingdoms—Aisling, Gilvary, and Dermot—back under one ruler again. It was well known that Father expected to be that ruler. This was my first time hearing he had planned for me to be his successor.
“Sorry, I cannot help you with that. Whatever plans Father may have had, I was not privy to them.”
King Farris’ mouth dropped open and then closed with a snap. “I only thought that if we knew what the plan was, we may help bring the matter into being.” He shook his head and gave a fake laugh. “You only need to tell us what our part will be in bringing this about.”
Every muscle in my body tightened in response to the king’s idiotic suggestion. Did he believe my brothers would just hand over the right to rule their kingdoms? Or did he have something more sinister in mind? “You may recall that my father’s plot involved the murder and torture of his own offspring. Whatever he had planned is better off left buried with him.”
The king’s brow wrinkled in obvious frustration. “But everything has already been set into motion. You and Adrika are married. Surely the time is nigh to take the next step. That is why you agreed to the marriage, is it not?”
“Maybe if you had asked me about my father’s plans earlier, you would not have forced your daughter into marrying me.” I regretted my words as soon as they were out. I hated what Farris had done to his daughter, but my words had no doubt added to her pain. I would have to make it up to her later.
King Farris leaned back in his chair and studied my face. I was positive he thought I was lying about not knowing of my father’s strategies, but he would be wrong. It was no secret Father had been obsessed with combining the three kingdoms. It chilled me to think he may have planned for me, his youngest child of five, to eventually take his place.
King Farris moved on to other aspects of the council meeting, but I could tell his heart was not in it. The real purpose of this meeting had been to gather information from me. When the meeting ended, he requested that Adrika escort him back to his room. He would probably scold her, but there was nothing I could do about it. I could not keep her from her father.