Page 16 of Feathered Thief

Helena’s heart hurt. “Do you really think she would do that?”

Her father sighed and shook his head. “No. I believe she wants this marriage for our children as much as I do.”

They arrived in midafternoon, utterly exhausted from cold and stress. A page delivered a message to King Ryszard from Madame Euzebia, inviting them to rest after the unpleasant journey. He frowned but didn’t argue, following the servant directly to their usual rooms in the southeast tower.

Attentive servants surprised them with drinks and hot meals in their suite. They both enjoyed hot baths, and more servants aired and ironed their rumpled clothing. The king’s own manservant helped him prepare, but Madame Euzebia had assigned not one buttwomaids to help Helena dress and prepare for the ceremony, which would take place that very evening. Amid all the bustle, Helena didn’t so much as glimpse Kazik. He was probably cleaning up after a long day of military training, poor man.

She enjoying thinking of Kazik as her man. So what if he still had a baby face?

A new kirtle of deep-blue velvet—a gift from Madame Euzebia!—over a chemise of white silk did wonders for her confidence, and flat-soled shoes and a tightly fitted head covering minimized her height. The maid assured her that she looked very well indeed. Helena couldn’t quite believe her. She desperately hoped Kazik wouldn’t mind that she’d grown even taller since summer. It wasn’t as if she could do anything about it, but, oh, how she hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed in her at their betrothal celebration!

She entered the Great Hall on her father’s arm, feeling more like a child playacting than a princess preparing to plight her troth. A servant announced them, and she felt the sudden weight of eyes and judgment.

To her relief, Grand Duke Warin and Madame Euzebia were immediately announced and entered the hall with Kazikfollowing behind, dressed in velvet and silk that matched Helena’s. She saw in a glance that he was still short. When he saw her, his eyes opened wide. Did her superior height annoy her future husband? For years now, she’d prayed with all her heart to stop growing so that Kazik could pass her up, but the Almighty apparently neither listened nor cared. She felt rather put out with Him.

The prince was still adorable like a puppy. “Your Highness,” he spoke while she curtsied and he bowed. “I-I’m delighted to see you again. You look . . . very pretty.”

She blurted, “Really?”

Then heat rushed into her face, and Kazik turned bright red, and she heard her father huff an amused sigh. To her relief, the other guests didn’t seem to notice their awkwardness. Few people in the hall seemed to notice them at all since their grand entry ended.

“Um, would you like to walk around the room with me?” Kazik’s voice went from deep to screechy on the last two words, and he flushed to his ears.

“I would like that very much,” Helena replied, her voice all quivery.

He said, “Really?” with the same startled surprise she’d expressed moments earlier. Their eyes met, and the awkwardness vanished. They both began to laugh and couldn’t stop. Helena even snorted, and Kazik didn’t care.

She really liked his new deep voice. Even when it cracked.

“Now, now, enough silliness! You two are quite the pair,” Kazik’s mother chided them, but she was smiling. “Go on and stroll about the room together, talk to people, and try not to trip over your feet or forget where you are and why you’re here. The ceremony should begin soon.” She shooed them gently into motion.

Helena’s eyes met his, and she sensed something like a jolt of . . . power? Magic?

Then her prince offered his arm, she laid her hand on it, and they commenced strolling as directed. “Your mother is very kind,” Helena observed. She wanted to ask him if the grand duchess was a mage, but since the civilized world had banned mages from ruling over countries long ago, such a question could not be asked. Then again, technically Madame Euzebia didn’t exactly rule over anyone. “Her eyes look like yours,” she added to her original remark. “I don’t remember ever really talking with her before.”

He smiled. “My mother is . . . well, she doesn’t go out much in public, and she doesn’t care about titles. She was friends with your mother, and I know she thinks highly of you.”

“Then why did she insist on making us wait until you’re fifteen to marry?” Blood rushed into her face as she realized how bold she sounded.

Kazik shrugged one shoulder. “You’d have to ask her. I’m guessing she wants us to be totally sure about marriage, since it’ll be for the rest of our lives. I don’t suppose we’ll get to see much of each other after we’re betrothed. Not until right before the wedding.”

“I don’t like that,” Helena blurted with feeling. “I miss you.”

“You do?” He sounded breathless. “I always miss you too. I wish we could just get married today.”

Again, heat rose in her face, though she wasn’t quite sure why. Not for the first time, she wished she had a mother to explain important things. Like boys. And marriage.

She switched the subject to archery, and soon they chatted like old friends. This gathering and dinner were purportedly in their honor, but few of the guests paid them any notice. They had time to talk and get to know each other all over again. Kazik made her feel safe. When she told him about her recent bakingand candy-making endeavors and disasters, he laughed in all the right places.

“I would love to be your taste-tester. Someday soon, I hope,” he said with a shy glance that made her stomach do flips. “Do you think your father might let me come and visit you? I mean, with chaperones and everything proper.”

Before she could answer, the grand duke called for attention. At his beckoning, Kazik and Helena returned to his side. Everything about the ceremony seemed formal, businesslike, and disconnected from her and Kazik. She felt almost numb while her father accepted the bride price from Prince Kazimierz. But then Kazik slipped a lovely gold ring on her icy right hand, gently folded his warm hands around her cold ones, then beamed his genuine smile at her.

That, she knew, was a moment she would rememberforever.

She couldn’t help smiling back, and a few happy sighs drifted from the audience. Finally, their fathers both signed the betrothal contract, and the impending marriage was toasted by all.

Relief filled her now that the ceremony was over. She and Kazik together received congratulations from many guests, most of them strangers to her. A few people patted Kazik’s shoulder or gave them a nod or a slight bow. Overall, the guests seemed far more interested in the grand duke’s wine and rich food than in congratulating a pair of awkward children, but Helena didn’t mind any lack of attention.

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