Page 29 of Legacy of the Heirs
“Where shall we start?” he asked. Her brow knitted together, while Caellum traced circles on her hand.
“I must speak to someone old in Garridon—a healer, perhaps.”
“I will ask Sir Cain to gather some information. I will journey wherever we need to to get you answers,” he said.
“Thank you,” she whispered. The two stood before one another in a field of white flowers. Caellum did not wish to join the others. He yearned to stand like this with Sadira for hours. Yet, they had to leave if they were to show a united front against Soren.
“Are you ready?” he asked. Sadira took a deep breath and nodded.
***
“King Caellum of Garridon, and his betrothed, Princess Sadira of Doltas Island,” called Orrick, the royal herald. His voice was deafening as Caellum guided Sadira from the corridor to the top of the stairs, descending into the hall. He gulped when he took in the number of people filling the room. Though this would be normal to most rulers, Caellum still felt uneasy in the spotlight. He thought back to the last time he was presented to his people, only to be escorted out with mud on his face. Elisara was always a natural at royal functions. Caellum hoped she did not feel out of place at this one, an event that was once destined to be theirs. The room sparkled. Hundreds of candles reflected off the glass walls and ceiling, adding to the stars aglow outside. The surrounding vines and flowers were symbolic of Sadira’s grace and beauty, the room proving to be a true representation of her and all she was.
“Wow,” he breathed, taking in the hall. “You did all this?” Sadira’s grin struck him with warmth.
“With some help from the servants,” she said modestly. Caellum lifted his hand, and together, they descended the stairs. Revellers gazed up at her with adoring smiles. Sadira truly glowed as he guided her around the rows of long tables until reaching the one at the head, raised on a dais. He acknowledged Nyzaia first, who returned a tight smile. Larelle helped her daughter to hold her cutlery correctly, yet grinned at Sadira as they approached. His betrothed returned the warm smile, and Caellum was grateful she had heeded his advice. He caught the eye of Vala’s commander next, standing to the side of the table. He narrowed his eyes at Caellum, and the temperature in the room shifted before he refocused on his queen. Elisara was the last person whose eyes met his as he reached the table. He smiled through the awkwardness, but did not attempt to converse. Her returning smile was brief before she glanced back at her commander.
Caellum pulled out Sadira’s chair beside Larelle before moving to take his own. However, he did not sit. He waited for the last guest of the honoured table to take her place. He cleared his throatawkwardly and remained standing until Soren sat. She did not acknowledge him. Caellum peered out over the tables and the joyous faces of everyone present. It was such a change to his last royal event. He raised his goblet, clinking a fork against it.
“First, I must ask you to applaud my betrothed for how breathtaking she looks this evening,” he called to the crowds, glancing down to meet Sadira’s eyes. A ripple of applause sounded through the room, echoing against the glass. “It has been a tumultuous time for us all”—he gestured to the room— “We have faced tragedy, not just within our realm, but throughout our entire kingdom. We have lost loved ones and faced change.” He looked at Sadira again. “But in the face of change and uncertainty is the promise of friendship, hope, and new beginnings.” Sadira reached up and squeezed his hand before he turned back to the room. “I wish for you to see that promise reflected in our marriage: a union that brings stability and peace to our realm.” He glanced at Soren then, who played with a knife wedged into the table; she refused to meet anyone’s eye. She sat at the end of the table alone, except for two of her wolves: a sable-coloured one curled at her feet and a large white beast who acted as a guard. It growled, forcing Soren to glance up. She did little more than glare between the pair before patting the wolf’s head to settle her.
Sadira rose and looped her arm in his.
“It is our honour to rule this realm and stand beside our friends in Nerida, Keres, and Vala. Our marriage not only brings you unity, but it promises you a queen. As your king and queen, I promise we will protect you.” While the people knew nothing about the threats they faced, all four rulers did. Sadira was cementing their place, not only among the people of Garridon, but their worth among the other royalty, ensuring that, together, they would offer their defence against any imposing threat.
Applause broke out again, and Larelle raised her glass.
“To the king and future queen of Garridon,” she called, and the room echoed the sentiment.
Chapter Seventeen
Elisara
Elisara swilled the wine around her goblet. It was her third that evening after determining alcohol was the only way through this, a decision that merely served to heighten her emotions as she reflected on how this night could have been hers. Caellum twirled Sadira around the dancefloor and trailed his hands down her bare back, whispering in her ear; she blushed and giggled at his words. Watching their smiles, Elisara wondered if her smile would have been the same or if a small part of her had always known that life would never be enough: shipped to a different realm for marriage, a political tool to unite the realms. Elisara gulped the remnants of her wine and signalled for another goblet.
Elisara had thought she loved Caellum, though perhaps she merely loved the idea of being in love, especially as their relationship was all she had ever known. “A love that lights your soul on fire,” Kazaar had said on the Unsanctioned Isle. She was uncertain what that looked like, yet felt the fire burn within her at every one of Kazaar’s glances from where he leaned against the wall, pretending to survey the room.
A henna-covered hand appeared in her vision, and Nyzaia’s gold bracelets rattled as she placed her goblet beside Elisara’s. She scraped a chair back and sat beside her.
“I could do with something drastically stronger. Couldn’t you?” Nyzaia asked. Elisara chuckled and leaned back, crossing her leg over the other. She picked up her glass.
“It’s like you read my mind.”
“To a complicated love life.” Nyzaia clinked her goblet againstElisara’s before downing her wine.
“There is nothing complicated about my love life,” Elisara scoffed. Nyzaia rested her head on her palm and angled her chin to face Elisara.
“Oh, is that so? Are we not at the engagement ball of your previously betrothed while your commander, who is definitely falling for you, stares at you from across the room? Nyzaia raised her eyebrow.
“Point taken,” Elisara grumbled. Nevertheless, she did not believe Kazaar was falling for her; their bond was merely that of a shared destiny. “If we are cheering to our complicated love lives, what is wrong with you and Tajana?” Elisara put her goblet down and shook her head at a servant who moved to refill it. She did not trust her emotions should she have another. Elisara scanned the room for Tajana and found the captain leaning against the wall in a similar fashion to Kazaar, intently glancing between Soren and Sadira on the opposite sides of the hall. While Sadira danced joyfully in Caellum’s embrace, in a way Elisara struggled to believe was a ruse, Soren sat at the far end of the royal table, glaring around the room. “Should Tajana not be watching you?” Elisara asked. Nyzaia shook her head and locked eyes on Tajana.
“I asked her to watch Soren and Sadira. I do not trust them, mostly Soren. When we met in Nerida, she said something that made me question if she had stepped foot in Keres before and perhaps had a hand in instigating the explosion. My father had to find out about the prophecy somehow.”
“So, what is the complication?” Elisara asked. Nyzaia swirled the liquid in her goblet before glancing away.
“I had her followed,” she said finally. Elisara uncrossed her legs and leaned forward.
“Nyzaia!” she hissed. “What on earth for?”
