Page 4 of Ties of Dust

All the humans in the area clapped politely, as the anzu birds certainly expected them to do. After a moment’s preening, they soared gracefully back down into the pond, where they kept their heads dry while expertly flicking water over their feathers.

“Come now, Miriam, what are you dawdling for?”

The queen’s impatient voice drew them forward, eliciting a small sigh from Miriam.

“Such a shame they didn’t have anzu birds in Torrens when we were studying,” Flora said, to lighten the mood. “The feel of the Dust stirred up by their movements is fascinating. I’d love to learn to harness it. The magic stirred by the flame and by the water is really different, too.”

“Maybe that can be your next project once you’ve seen me safely married,” Miriam said, her smile unconvincing.

When they reached the exterior courtyard, Flora was surprised that not only the king, but both princes were waiting. She’d known Prince Theodore was to accompany their group to meet the Carrackian delegation. But she hadn’t expected to see Prince Xavier as well. The heir to thethrone of Siqual wasn’t known for his reliability. In fact, he was rarely where one might want him to be.

But it warmed Flora’s heart that he’d shown up for his sister. Much as Miriam might complain about her brothers, Flora knew that their presence would mean a great deal to the princess.

“You look lovely, Miriam,” Prince Theodore said kindly. His rather serious face was softened by a friendly smile. “We should get going.”

“It’s not too late to back out, sis,” Prince Xavier said, coming up close to her.

She gave him a long-suffering look. “Only you would say that. It’s not a question of whether it’s too late. I was never given the option ofbacking out, as you put it.”

He grinned at her. “You have to make your own options, Mim. If you want out, make a run for it when you get close to the border. Knock out the side of the carriage or something.” He inclined his head to Flora with a conspiratorial wink. “I’m sure Flora could help you.”

“I could,” Flora confirmed, her voice matter-of-fact, but low enough not to be heard by the king and queen, who were conversing nearby. “And I’m perfectly ready to if you want. Just say the word.”

Prince Xavier gave a delighted laugh, but Miriam shook her head.

“You’re both being ridiculous.” The rebuke, directed to both Flora and Prince Xavier, held a wistful note. Prince Theodore showed no similar sentiment as he backed his sister up.

“You are,” he agreed. “And it doesn’t make it any easier for anyone, so stop it.”

Flora subsided, although the glint in Prince Xavier’s eye told her he wasn’t similarly cowed.

“It’s easy for you to be pragmatic, Theo,” Miriam pointed out. “No one’s asking you to make a marriage alliance.”

“Not currently,” he acknowledged. “But I think it’s highly likely that I’ll be expected to do just that in due course, if it makes you feel any better.”

Miriam sighed. “Maybe it should. But it doesn’t.”

Prince Theodore reached out, his hand hovering uncertainly for a moment over the lavish gown before he found a fairly safe patch of fabric on her shoulder to give a reassuring squeeze.

“I know it feels overwhelming. And we’ll miss you a great deal once you’re settled in Carrack. But I’ll be there alongside you, at least for the journey.”

“Small comfort,” Prince Xavier said dryly.

Flora eyed him silently. The older prince might speak more like his sister’s champion, but it was the younger prince who was actually going to be present to provide support. Even if that support probably wouldn’t go as far as helping his sister to run away if she’d wanted to.

Honestly, either brother’s support was better than any she’d be likely to get from her own brothers in a similar situation. In that regard, she considered Miriam fortunate.

“No sense putting off the inevitable, anyway,” Miriam said with determination as she moved toward the enormous carriage emblazoned with the royal crest of Siqual. “Come on, then. Let’s go meet my prince.”

Only Flora caught her muttered addition as she climbed into the carriage behind the princess. “And let’s hope he’s not planning to play us all false.”

Chapter

Two

“At last. That process was unnecessarily tedious.”

The disapproving voice of Lord Armand sounded in Cassius’s ears as they moved across the broad stone bridge that marked the border. Torrens was behind them now. They were in Siqual.

---