Page 25 of A Crown of Tears and Treason
Another woman climbed in behind her. She wore a white, austere uniform that had been perfectly starched, trimmed with gold that did little to cover her obvious muscles. She looked me over, sat next to the Commander with a solemn nod, and yanked the carriage door closed with harsh, precise movements. The sides of her head were shaved and the blonde hair on top was pulled back in a severe bun. She had more weapons on her golden belt than I could count. Fine, seven. The skills grandpa Constantine had taught were slowly coming back to me.
Next to Kaya, we all looked like beggars. The finest silks Fabrian’s large vaults had bought couldn’t compete with sheer beauty.
“Allow me to introduce Vexa, from the famed Lorich Guild.” Kaya floated a hand in the direction of the other woman. Her sweet rosy perfume filled the carriage.
“Hello,” I said again.
Kaya and Vexa exchanged a quick, surprised look. Curious. Vexa also sent a mean side-eye my way. Or maybe she just didn’t like my dress.
Right. The blood.
“What are you doing here?” the Commander asked with a sigh as the carriage began moving again.
The Citadel was quiet. Perhaps too quiet. The road was paved with engraved stones, the flower patches had perfectly placed rock borders, and the majestic houses were all made up of crisp lines of polished wood, in shades of red, gold. But where were the people? There was an eerie stillness within these walls, the calm almost pressing.
“Calm down, Ry–” Kaya began but stopped as he cleared his throat. She waved her elegant hand in sync with her eyes. “Commander. The prince got detained in the meeting with theking and queen and I wanted our guest to see at least one friendly face when she came here. You can be kind of mean when you want to.”
Kaya did seem friendly. Which only meant I needed to be more cautious around her.
She turned to me with an open enthusiasm I’d only seen on school children back in Aquila. “How do you like it here so far?”
“I haven’t really gotten a chance to see anything,” I said evenly. What was I going to say?I feel intimidated down to my core and it’s a miracle I’m not shaking?“I–what’s that?”
The crackling sounds of the jungle were replaced with the low hum of a city, coming just from outside the wall. But beyond the marketplace hustle, I could make out a solemn, controlled voice speaking in tune with the ringing bells.
“The crown prince of our esteemed Blood Brotherhood Clan will wed. If any of you know of a just cause why he should not be joined in sacred matrimony with the Protectorate Lost Daughter, you are obligated to declare it here and now. This is the first time of asking.”
What in the–
“It’s just tradition,” Kaya said quickly. “The priests have to read the wedding banns every day until you’re married. In case, you know, someone can bring evidence that could prevent the union.”
The mere fact that he’d called The Dragon the crown prince of the Blood Brotherhood and me the Lost Daughter of the Protectorate was evidence enough for me.
Now everyone and their distant aunt knew I was here. Wonderful.
The carriage made a sharp turn to the left, on a road flanked on both sides with gorgeous, spindly statues of goddesses and muses I didn’t recognize. Their lithe bodies were frozen in inhuman undulations, hands reaching for the sky as huge vineswound around their delicate arms, extending toward the center to create a thick canopy with garlands of dangling white and purple flowers. Inside this fragrant tunnel, everything felt quiet. Peaceful.
At the end of the path, a gorgeous house spread out. Then it kept on spreading, extending as far as I could see. Red brick, beige wood, intricate carvings, and mosaic columns for days.
A sturdy stone and wrought iron fence wrapped around it with spikes on top of the pillars. Imposing and not the least bit inviting. A red wooden gate stood in the center, intricate leaf and flower motifs adorning it. It must have taken weeks to carve.
I jumped out of the carriage after the Commander, eyes hungrily sipping every sight before me. No other houses around, only bushes and trees, thick enough to get lost in. My gaze snagged on the mare, a great big, black beauty, with a glossy mane that shimmered silver in sunlight and would have made Zorin jealous. She looked too quick and lithe to belong in that carriage harness. She didn’t seem to like it either, impatiently pawing at the ground with one of her hooves.
“Welcome to–” Kaya stumbled out of the carriage, quickly caught by Vexa’s outstretched arms; like she’d been waiting for the slip. Kaya’s cheeks tinged red as she ran a hand down her dress. “Welcome to the Citadel. And to your residence.”
I looked up at the building, gaze snagging on the two statues guarding the entrance. They were almost twins, except one held a sword, the other a piece of parchment. The greatest powers, weapons and knowledge.
All of this was mine? The veranda itself was big enough to fit the mountain cabin three times over.
The gate opened and out rushed a lanky boy, no older than me. His long legs looked like they'd snap at his hips if he ran too hard.
He wore the same white uniform as Vexa, with a higher collar and no wrinkles in sight.
I didn’t know if whatever deal I had with the prince meant I had to play nice. Until I knew for sure, I had to strike a careful balance between courtesy and caution. With my cousins’ lives on the line, I wouldn’t risk anything else.
The boy–fine, man, from the soft hairs on his top lip that were almost a mustache–stopped in front of me and kneeled. A full kneel, bending his back and lowering his forehead to the ground. Everyone around me pretended it was normal, not batting an eye. What in the–
“What are you doing?” I whispered, taken aback.
