Page 7 of Bride of the King
“I see.” He cleared his throat.
I doubted he saw at all, and a tension hung between us, ruined by my worry.
“What will we do today?” I asked, changing the subject.
“It is up to you. I am at your disposal today.” He placed a hand on his heart and bowed his head.
“Me?” Surprise took me again. “But this is your kingdom.”
He stroked his jaw, then rose. “I will show it to you, if it pleases you, my lady.”
“Call me Nesrin,” I replied, standing.
He reached across the table and plucked an iris from a bouquet. He tucked it behind my ear before taking my hand in his. “Nesrin.”
Zander held my hand as we walked throughout the camp. It was pleasant, a beautiful summer day with the trees providing ample shade from the heat. We strode among the wildflowers, moving away from the circle of colorful tents. The Rovers waved as we passed and continued to work, singing in low tunes, a jaunty melody that was carried to my ears by the breeze. I saw Naomi, sitting at a loom, weaving while children gathered around her, listening while she told them stories. People were everywhere, swaying to their own music and working in their own unique ways. Some chopped word, others carved, some played music, others danced, and I could see no rhythm or reason to it.
But Zander pulled me away from the camp and led me deeper into the grove, toward the glade where our wedding ceremony had taken place.
“What are your days like?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” He regarded me, the lines around his mouth turning up. “As in, what do I do all day?”
“When you aren’t serving the people.” I smiled, recalling his earlier words.
“It varies. When we aren’t traveling there’s hunting, fighting, negotiations, in time, you’ll see. But I don’t wish to bore you with the nuances of my daily routine.”
“Is it not why I’m here? To help you?”
“Aye, but only in part. I would have you enjoy your days, not drown yourself in duty. But you carry on your father’s work?”
I pressed my lips together. “I wanted to, but. . .” my thoughts went to my father’s death and the burden of grief that sat heavy on my heart. His decline was slow. I’d known it was coming, and so did he. And yet, it still hurt knowing I wouldn’t be able to sit with him in his workshop, crushing herbs while he mixed them. Talking of leaves and their properties and mixing them together. And sometimes, when I was brave enough, I’d ask about my mother and he’d tell me the tale of how he met her. A human and an elf. The impossible made possible.
Zander squeezed my hand. “I want to show you something.”
Thankful for the change in conversation, we moved on to where mushrooms and wildflowers grew around the trees. We walked until we came to a glade where a circle of trees stood. Just beyond was the yawning, dark beginnings of the enchanted wildwood. A thrill went through me, the dreaded, forbidden place, where it was said that evil walked and crept out to steal those who were unaware away. Again, I wondered why the Rovers were so bold to camp so close to such a place. It seemed as if they were forcing the hand of the wildwood and inviting the creatures to attack them.
“Does it frighten you?” His voice was low, reverent.
“A bit.” I shuddered. “You know the tales.”
“Aye, that’s why you are here,” he admitted. “I do not mean it to frighten you, but Rovers have enemies too. There are those who seek to take over, to frighten us away. Before your father passed, he was working on something. I was rather hoping you’d take up where he left off, for you too have the gift.”
I thought I knew what he was talking about, and I didn’t think I had it in me. “What do you mean?” I glanced again at the wildwood and swallowed hard. “What is it you want me to do? You keep mentioning I have the gift, but my father worked on many things before he passed. I was only his assistant.” My thoughts went back to the book I’d kept tucked under my pillow. I wondered if it was still there, and if I’d have a chance to return to my father’s house and retrieve it. Some potions I knew by heart, but others, I’d need his words to familiarize myself with the steps.
Zander took a long breath and crossed his arms over his chest. “I wanted you to enjoy today, but I must be honest with you. We have enemies. I say this, not to frighten you but to help you understand our need. There is another tribe which hunts us, hoping to take over our land. They still believe in the old ways, of blood sacrifices to the wildwood. They are much larger and it is only a matter of time until they catch up with us, again. Which is why we move frequently. We just want to be free, to dwell in nature, to come and go as we please, but the festival of Lammas draws near, and they usually come eight times a year, during the festivals, to take my people and sacrifice them to the wildwood. They claim it prevents the evil from escaping, but those days are past. A new queen dwells in the wildwood and protects those outside of it with her magic. I want my people to be happy.”
It was as though he’d opened his heart to me and I saw his hidden desire, his need to provide peace and happiness for his people. It was why he was a king, why he served. It was his duty, and yet he believed in it wholeheartedly. My heart went out to him and I felt the threads of kinship, even as he asked for my help. Now the words of Naomi made sense. Was he forced to choose me because I was the only one who could help him, help his tribe? Suddenly I wanted to do everything in my power for him, even though a slight inkling told me what he would ask of me would be next to impossible. Unless, once again, I used forbidden magic. But the consequences, I didn’t even know if I’d reap the consequences of what I’d sown. Had it only been yesterday at the river?
“I’ve heard tale of a man so strong he could hold off the creatures of the wildwood. I spoke to your father of this, and he said it might be possible to create a strength potion. It would last only a few hours, but it would be long enough to vanquish the tribe that haunts us. I’d hoped we’d lost their trail, but scouts reported seeing them a few weeks away. If they are coming, it will be for Lammas. I need your help. I asked, but your step-mother clarified your duties were too much to spare you. We made a deal, but now I know you were unaware of it, I will release you from your vow. I hope you’ll stay, but if you do this, if you create the strength potion, you are free to go. I will not hunt you down. I will not make you stay if it goes against your heart’s desire.”
6
Zander’s wordsstayed with me. I should have been angry with his actions, the way he’d chosen me and almost forced me to grant his wish. But I’d been so lowly, beat down and sad for so long, I did not have it in me to be angry with him. His apology, laced with words of need, was acceptable, and my mind was drawn again and again to the key fact that he was my husband.
Why? That was part of the deal I did not understand. Did my step-mother have something to do with it? I did not need to be his wife to create a potion, yet he’d married me in front of all the Rovers.
Zander woke me in the same manner the next morning, a light step at the tent entrance, and then the promise of breakfast while I dressed. I selected a pale blue dress. Was this real? I felt as though I’d passed into a dream, to another world where my worries melted away. I even pushed the niggling sensation that all wasn’t well away.
