Page 36 of Feathers and Thorns

Jai watched the last of the horses pass through the gates and breathed out a sigh. They were off to do their part. Now it was time to fulfill his side of the bargain.

Momentarily, he wished to be back in his boat, on another self-serving mission to fill his coffers, but he knew that was not where his heart truly yearned to be.

He had avoided coming back here because he knew if he did, he would crash the wedding and ruin Adaryn’s chance at happiness. But he was here now. And so was she. And Maker damn him, but he would rather face down Adriel’s whole army of beasts alone than to let Adaryn marry Erick.

A new sense of calm and purpose filled his veins, lighting a fire in his belly. He stood taller and spoke with regal authority.

“Come, brother, I have a kingdom to claim.”

* * *

Jai and Everett traveled through the castle with caution, though most rushed past, carrying fine china from one room to the next while the royal event organizer barked orders.

“That tapestry is sideways!” A woman clicked her teeth and scribbled notes on a parchment pad that she held in her hands, the jar of ink dangerously close to spilling. “No, I said appetizer plates, not dessert plates!” Her voice was shrill as she lay into one servant after another to get the castle ready.

The guys stifled their laughter as they snuck past, not wanting to get pulled into the fray.

“She seems delightful,” Jai commented.

“She’s not like that all the time,” Everett assured, his tone implying they knew each other on a more intimate level.

Jai let his eyebrows ask the question for him.

Everett shrugged. “What? It was only once or twice. I just help her to relax after the big events.”

“And the palace footman?” Jai asked.

“Oh, he got removed from the staff. Apparently, they caught him pick-pocketing the nobility as he helped them into their carriages.” He let out a disappointed sigh. “Too bad. He was a fun roll in the hay, too.”

“You have no shame,” Jai said as they turned the corner to the next hall and his heart skipped a beat.

The corridor was empty apart from Adaryn, who stood at the end of it. She wore a gown the color of autumn leaves, and her hair was pinned up on one side, a tiara of woven gold sitting squarely on her head. She looked every bit like the princess of Patrivah.

Jai’s brows furrowed when he noticed that her arm was nestled comfortably through the elbow of the Duke of Stelonbriar, and he stifled a growl. This was no longer the young boy they had known since childhood; this was the man she was set to marry.

The road to Braexmirth was surprisingly beautiful. After making the crossing from Patrivah, Soren, Baz, and Enara found themselves in the wide-open expanse of Braexmirth’s flatlands. This section of the province was where the inhabitants raised their livestock and grew certain crops that could survive their harsher climates.

They had arrived in the early evening, and the sun was beginning to fall past the large mountain range in front of them. The farmlands were set ablaze in dark oranges, reds, and yellows that reminded Enara of the heart of a sunflower.

The sunset contrasted the colors of the first set of mountain ranges. The warm tones swirled and melted with the charcoal grays, greens, and blacks of the stones, like paint on woven fabric. Their school texts had always spoken of the great mountains of Braexmirth, but they had always assumed them to be drab and gray since no pictures had been provided.

They camped out at the halfway point to Olecastor, choosing to sleep under the stars. As evening turned to dusk, and the golds faded to silver, they settled onto their bedrolls, staring up at the stars for a while when Baz broke the silence.

“Hey, Sor?” he asked, his tone hesitant.

“Yeah?”

“I think your dad would be proud of you.”

The admission caused her throat to constrict, and she looked at him tearfully. “I hope so,” was all she could muster before the drop fell.

“I know so,” Enara said from beside her. “Not many would still be standing after all you’ve been through, lady. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“Thanks, guys.”

“We love you, Sor. Let’s get some rest.”

Baz yawned and curled his arms around Enara’s waist. “Love you,” he murmured against Enara’s neck.

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