Page 14 of Feathered Thief

Shaking his head, he answered, “No,Ojciec, my mother has mentioned no plans.” His father demanded precise and formal answers.

The grand duke grunted, looking amused. “Indeed! Then hear me out before you speak. Your mother and I have arranged your betrothal to Princess Helena of Zyrardów. I assume you must be acquainted with the girl. We have set aside the bridal payment, and you may give her my mother’s betrothal ring. Now, before you object to this choice”—he raised one hand to forestall a nonexistent protest—“allow me to explain. Her father, King Ryszard, is my advisor, as you know, and his kingdom encompasses most of the ore-rich land in our duchy.”

Gazing northwest toward that land, he continued, “Zyrardów also features rich ore and many lakes and potential links to important water routes. Wise though he is in many respects, Ryszard lacks the vision and drive required to develop these resources to their full potential. A conjugal connection with Zyrardów might prove advantageous for both sides of the bargain.”

Kazik heard him speaking, but he’d comprehended scarcely one word after “your betrothal to Princess Helena.”

Eventually he snapped out of his ecstasy, striving to pay attention as his father’s voice droned on. “Ruling this duchy is an enormous responsibility bestowed upon us from On High, and every ruler must make sacrifices for his land. Few are as blessedin marriage as I was—it so happened that your mother brought beauty and grace along with the requisite wealth, power, and status into our marriage. We may hope the young Zyrardów princess’s appearance will improve with age.”

While his father returned to his desk, wondrous joy at his dream come true and hot resentment at the slight to his future wife vied for dominance in Kazik’s heart. Careful to omit emotion from his face and voice, he stated, “I shall marry Princess Helena of Zyrardów for the good of all concerned.”

A rare smile transformed his father’s face, and his hand gripped Kazik’s shoulder like a vise. “Here speaks my son—a young man of vision and courage! As your education and experience expand, you shall assist me in our mission to improve and grow our nation.”

While savoring his father’s rarely bestowed approval, Kazik asked a few questions. “How is it that a barony, a principality, and even a kingdom are vassals to Ostrów, a grand duchy?”

“Excellent question.” After one more squeeze, he released Kazik’s shoulder and awkwardly patted his back. “Wealth in the form of coin does not always accompany an inheritance, and small countries are often dependent upon wealthy neighbors during wars. Our three vassals are still paying off debt, with interest, to Ostrów for our shared war against Greater Szolnok more than one hundred years ago.”

Kazik focused on the part he understood. “So, Ostrów is wealthy and Zyrardów, Starogard, and Lómza are poor because of a historical war?”

His father shrugged lightly. “’Tis the way things are. I wouldn’t describe our vassals as poor. Their lands are productive, and their citizens seem, for the most part, content.”

The situation sounded unfair, but Kazik kept that opinion to himself. “So, when will this betrothal take place?”

“At Christmas, but we must delay the wedding until you are fifteen.”

“Fifteen!” Eleven months sounded forever away.

“I know this stipulation must seem unreasonable to you—it is a long betrothal—but your mother demanded her way. She says you need time to mature before taking on the responsibility of a family, but I suspect she wishes to delay having her successor in the castle.” He chuckled. “Women can be difficult, you know. But what with military training and education requiring most of your time, the months before your marriage will pass quickly.”

Despite the long wait, Kazik was so over-the-moon happy—within a year, Helena would be hiswife!—that he comprehended not one more word his father spoke until he was finally dismissed. He longed to tell Solara about his betrothal, but visiting her tower twice in one day might attract notice, so he headed outside to visit Geoffroi in his pocket world.

Kazik heard the stallion’s bugling neigh as soon as he stepped into the odd fragment of reality. The earth trembled beneath those enormous hooves. Even watching the horse was a treat to the eyes: his gallop was as smooth as cream, his hide gleamed like a new-minted gulden, and his shimmering mane and tail flowed in his wake.

“Greetings, insignificant human!” he trumpeted, rearing high and mighty.

“Salutations, irrelevant horse!”

Geoffroi’s whinny broke into a raucous laugh, and he dropped to all fours. “Today your wit is sharp, young colt, and your face vies the full moon in both shape and brightness! What news have you?”

Kazik’s chest felt tight, but he managed to speak without his voice cracking. “I’m to be betrothed to Princess Helena.”

Geoffroi tossed his mane and bugled a bright vibrato. “Excellent! You are both quite young, yet I esteem hercourageous heart and your steadfast honor. Now, tell me what burr lurks beneath your saddle, pampered pony?”

If he hadn’t recognized the affection behind the teasing, Kazik would likely have stalked away in a temper, handing Geoffroi opportunity to advise him to grow some skin.

No . . . more likely the rude beast would tell him to grow something else.

Kazik was used to the golden horse’s wisecracks, but there was something behind everything the creature said. Solara, too. Recalling the information his mother shared with him right before he’d visited Helena at Castle Valga, he frowned, struggling to form his concerns into words.

What did his father intend to do with his captives? Why did they allow the grand duke to believe he held complete control? Why did they trust Kazik with the truth?

What if the fay beings were deceiving him and his father was right to keep them captive?

As far as he knew, neither of the golden creatures had devoured or dragged anyone into another dimension as fay monsters were reputed to do, yet Kazik could never work up nerve enough to ask them who or what they really were.

“We must wait nearly a year,” he grumbled. “My mother says I must be fifteen before I marry. It sounds like forever, but meanwhile I’ll work hard at my education and military training.” He couldn’t begin to tell the stallion or anyone else how much he yearned for Helena’s admiration and affection.

“What does love look like?” Kazik blurted without thinking. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.”

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