Bonds that Burn and Bind

Chapter 8 Part 3

"Are they actually ready?" I asked when we were halfway down the staircase.

"Nearly. I was going to get you when your maids came flyin' at me—rantin' about an intruder in your rooms. I mad haste, thinkin' I may find you standin' over a body. But that is not what I saw. Your mother and I weren't perfect parents, but our love for each other was profound. Lookin' at you and King Orin, it's like glimpsin' my younger self with her. Why not go with him?"

"Why interrupt then?" I asked, avoiding answering as we reached the last few stairs.
"To give you a choice. Get married or be given enough time to leave for Incartha."

"That's not what I thought you meant by diversion."

Just as we were about to begin down the corridor, a figure dressed in crimson with a golden tiered crown, a sword sheathed at his side, flanked by two guards, appeared from around the corner.

We stopped and bowed our heads in greeting to the King of Dalmar. Mumbling. "Your Majesty." As he made his way towards us.

"I wanted to bless the bride before her nuptials," he said, looking at me—his eyes like two cloudy sapphires. "Especially after the events last night."
"I would be most gracious," I responded, slightly taken aback. Very few were bestowed with such honor.

One of King Jamie's guards stepped forward with a small golden bowl filled with oil.

The King dipped his thumb into it before pressing it to the center of my forehead.
"I give you Father Sky's blessing for the face that lifts towards him." Then I held my hand, and he made a small circle in my palm. "And I give you Mother Earth's blessing for the hands that toils her earth."

The king wiped his fingers on a handkerchief. "She looks just like Anna, Ian," King Jamie said, turning towards my father.

I blinked in surprise. Anna was my mother's name.

"And to think that the Fae almost took her, like so many other young women. Surely you agree with me now, Lord Ashworth—the Fae must be wiped from Dalmar."

"And once again, I will tell you that it's foolish to attempt it!" my father's voice came out as a growl—his expression growing icy with anger.

King Jamie's face filled with that same cold rage. "Ian, as your king, I demand you grant me use of the lands given to you by the crown. Or I may have to take them back with force."

"You won't. You're too wise to have me as an enemy because remember when I was?"

"Father!" the words tumble out of my mouth as a plea for him to stop. I knew he had this side to him, powerful and not one to back down, or he wouldn't have the title of Prince of Thieves. Still, even if his son was one, I doubted my father could stand against a king and come out unscathed.

My voice seemed to draw him out of his rage because he took a long breath.

"But today is not the time for making enemies—it's a time for celebration." He smiled at me. "My king, I promise to ponder your wishes for a few more days."

"Fine," King Jamie said.

"Excellent. Now if your grace wouldn't mind continuing before us, I doubt Lady Aimsworth would allow the ceremony to proceed without your presence."

The King whirled without a word, his red cape fanning out behind him as he stormed off.
A soft thud and giggling drew my attention down a side corridor opposite where we stood, and I glimpsed Lucia's red hair and Lief's ponytail disappearing around a pillar.

Skipping my wedding to rendezvous with a maid—very Lief-like behavior.

"There are whispers that their magic border has weakened enough for the right magic user to break it," my father said after King Jamie had disappeared from sight. "If that happens, an army would not need to transverse Dragon Ridge to invade the Fae's land."