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MERRILYN RACED ACROSS the courtyard, praying under her breath as she flew past vendors and drunken revelers. "Please, don't let me be too late! Please, don't let me be too late!"
With one hand holding up the hem of her finest gown and the other crushing the petals of her flowered crown, she climbed the stone staircase as quickly as she could and passed into the great hall on her way to the heart of the castle.
As she passed the Hall of Healing, trumpets echoed around her, announcing the arrival of the royal family. The crowds behind her in the courtyard erupted in shouts and applause so that the sound between the two was deafening.
"Oh, me! I’m late!" Merrilyn cried in despair.
Propelling herself faster down the hall, she turned into the Hall of Banquets and slid to a stop in front of two heavily armed guards. They grinned, no doubt laughing at her disheveled appearance as she stood panting before them.
"Yes, yes. Late as usual, I know." She straightened the circlet of flowers upon her head and gestured toward the enormous double door of the throne room, which they opened with great flourish. Just as she stepped past the threshold, the trumpets sounded a final crescendo. As she gazed across the crowded room, she could see that she had arrived just in time.
Justan was dressed as finely as she had ever seen him, draped in a rich velvet cape embroidered with miniature versions of the Nomar coat of arms. She couldn't see much more than that because of the crowd, but what caught her attention was the expression on his face. She had never seen him so stern. His jaw was rigid, his eyebrows slanted in fierce lines over his eyes. His frown evidence that he must have steeled himself against the nervousness and anticipation that such a moment brings. She smiled and, as if he'd sensed the movement, Justan suddenly looked directly at her from across the room. His expression softened and a smile touched his eyes as he nodded to her.
She took her place beside her mentor as the ceremony began.
"You're late!" Aileena whispered.
"I know. Sorry," she offered.
Aileena rolled her eyes and grinned but said no more as the magistrate approached Justan and spoke solemn words that bound the prince to his people and his role.
Justan’s coronation was not a long ceremony, for all the pomp and circumstance it was afforded. In a matter of moments, it seemed, the deed was done and Merrilyn’s childhood friend was no longer Justan, but crowned prince Justan. He was now officially heir to the throne of Nomar and commander of the royal army.
The entire assembly bowed low as he turned and left the room. Merrilyn felt as though she would nearly burst with excitement and joy. Caught up in the crowd of honored guests and nobles they spilled out of the grand hall into the courtyard to watch the Parade of Arms.
The military salute was impressive. Each division of troops presented their very best men and demonstrated their skills in front of the crowds as they passed through the courtyard and paraded out through the gates into the village below. Merrilyn could hear the people cheering outside the palace walls each time a set of troops passed through the gates. Archers shot long streamers and burning arrows over the walls, hitting targets on the other side. Swordsmen marched forward, swinging their weapons in a detailed dance of deadly skill. One group of soldiers even scaled the courtyard walls, parading across the top of the stones and then tumbling down the other side, much to the delight of the villagers. Cavalry horses stomped and tossed their heads as they marched past the crowds. Flags fluttered in the air above their heads, dancing on the wind.
Merrilyn laughed. "It's as if everything around us today wishes it could dance for joy!"
As though someone read her mind, the trumpets sounded to announce the opening of the grand ballroom. The honored guests made their way toward the music, laughing and chatting as they went. Those not invited to the festivities were not left out of the merriment entirely, for just outside the walls, huge crowds had gathered to join in the celebration. Musicians from all across the kingdom of Nomar now took up their instruments. Their joyful melodies streamed through the air until Merrilyn was surrounded with the sounds of happiness. This was the most beautiful day she had ever seen, and she was determined to be happy no matter what tomorrow might bring.
****
THAT NIGHT, MERRILYN was named Alaith, High Healer of Nomar. The ceremony stood in stark contrast to the morning's coronation. There were no musicians or grand banquets. No dancing or cheering. There were only three witnesses—Aileena stood between King Andraus and Prince Justan in the king’s study for the ceremony. Merrilyn spoke the solemn vows of allegiance and duty as an Alaith.
“I vow to serve Nomar, the people and its sovereignty, all the days of my life. In all things, I will seek their health and well-being. I solemnly swear this before my king, and do accept the duties and responsibilities of the Alaith.”
Her words were sincere and with tears in her eyes, she accepted the blue velvet cloak that signified her title and position. Embroidered around the edges with silver thread in the shapes of stars and bursts of light, it shimmered in the candlelight. Merrilyn smiled, smoothing the folds with gentle hands as her fingertips explored the delicate designs.
King Andraus and Aileena led their small party out into the darkened hallway. Merrilyn hadn't noticed that Justan stood waiting by the door until she felt his hand upon her elbow, pulling her with him into the darkened stone alcove behind him. She looked back down the hallway to see Aileena smiling over her shoulder at them just before she wrapped her arm under Andraus's, diverting his attention in conversation.
Merrilyn turned to Justan, her smile fading as she took in his serious expression. He stared into her eyes for what seemed a silent eternity. His gaze burned with an intensity she didn't understand. She had never before seen this expression on his beautiful face. Wondering what he was thinking, she started to ask him, but something about him made her hold her tongue. The electric tension seemed to grow as he stood there looking down on her in the near-darkness.
She held her breath, and his face filled her vision. Still, he said nothing. She waited for him to speak, while questions burned within her chest. She wasn't sure how much more silence she could take and was totally unsure of his purpose. Still, he said nothing. In all the years they had been together, she had never been so unsure and tense in his presence. A blush burned its way across her cheeks with a sudden awareness of his strength and closeness. She felt his breath quicken and her chest tightened in response. His hand softened its grip at her elbow and slid up to her shoulder, her back, her waist. Merrilyn’s lips parted, and his gaze flickered to them, his brow arching into a pained expression that left her confused.
His breath escaped in a ragged exhale, and she took a deep breath in response. As though some spell had broken between them, he took her hand, pulling her down the darkened hallway at such a speed she wasn't sure she would be able to keep her feet. He led her down a stairway into the gardens and out into the moonlight. Here he slowed, never releasing her hand.
She smiled at the garden's serenity in the moonlight. It felt somehow magical this night, with the water nearly glowing in the fountains and the soft hum of insects in the warm, spring air. Their footsteps echoed off the stones of the pathway, and the heavy perfume of the newly blossomed flowers filled the air around them.
Justan stopped finally at the bench where they had so often sat together on quiet afternoons. The cool night air rustled through the branches, and a Nightingale sang in the distance across the water.
Merrilyn sighed at the peacefulness of it all and wrapped her arms around herself as the breeze whispered again through the trees. Justan moved behind her and wrapped his arms around hers as she shivered.
"I've always dreamed of seeing the gardens at night, but tonight is the first," Merrilyn said with a quiet smile. She could feel the muscles tighten in Justan’s chest behind her.
"And maybe the last," he replied quietly.
Merrilyn frowned. “Justan...”
Taking her hand, he pulled her around until she was once again looking up at him. Worry filled her when she saw the trouble in his eyes, and she felt a deep sadness pull at her heart. Longing to comfort him, she touched his face with her fingertips. He surprised her by capturing her hand in his. Closing his eyes, he turned slowly and pressed a soft kiss into the palm of her hand.
Merrilyn nearly gasped at the intensity of the emotions now within her. Never had she allowed herself to dream about kisses from Justan, to long for more than she could expect from a dear friend. He had always been affectionate with her, but this felt different. This made her want more and that hurt as much as it awed her. She watched him drag her hand slowly over his heart. He held it there firmly and opened his eyes again.
"What is it, Justan?" she whispered. His intimacy was beginning to frighten her.
His free arm slipped around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She looked away, unable to face the intense gaze he poured over her. Taking a deep, shaky breath she tried to calm herself by focusing on the birdsong floating across the water.
"Merrilyn," he said in a fierce whisper. The sound of it brought her eyes back to his face. She thought she had heard tears in his voice. The fear within her was building again.
"Yes, Justan?" she asked in the smallest voice, barely an exhale. His jaw clenched, and she wondered what he was fighting back—anger or pain? His eyes searched her face for a moment, and then he closed them fiercely.
"Merrilyn, I can't bear the thought of losing you. This journey, this war... it's not worth losing you." He opened his eyes again and she saw the sheen of tears reflected in the moonlight before his expression hardened.
"Please, please don't go with us. It is going to be dangerous. I just don't think I could ever live with myself if you were hurt or..."
His brow furrowed, and she reached up with her free hand to smooth away the deep lines. She ran her fingers through the lock of hair that hung from his forehead. Merrilyn shook her head as she met his eyes.
"Justan, you don't have to worry about me. I want to go where you go. I know that you will protect me. Who knows, perhaps I'll even be the one to protect you,” she said with a soft smile.
His expression did not reflect relief like she had hoped. Instead, he looked tortured. Her own smile faded.
His eyes searched hers, and she got the impression he was trying to make a decision. His arms tightened around her, and she felt his chest fill with air as he took a deep breath. She wondered what he was about to say, and the worry filled her again.
Instead, he released her, taking two steps back. His gaze never left her face.
"I'm proud of you, Merrilyn." His voice was still quiet and sad. "I knew you would be the Alaith. If ever there were someone who deserved the title, it is you."
She smiled, but that only deepened the pain in his eyes. Confused, she watched him turn and walk away. Disappearing through the stone archway, his footsteps bounced off the stones of the hall. Merrilyn stood alone in the garden listening as they faded into the distance, fighting the sudden feeling of loss that swept over her.