Page 23 of The Heir's Bargain

I lifted my chin.

"First impressions are everything, Danisinia. You do want to make a good impression on your future husband, do you not?"

"What?" I sputtered, then looked to my father, pleading.

My father, however, only held up his aged, brown hands in defense as he stepped backward. "Oh no, I am not getting in the middle of this."

My mother waved him off. "Go chat with our guests, Menides. I'm sure some of them would love to talk to you; after all, a few of them are soldiers themselves."

My father grumbled something under his breath. But with one disapproving glance from my mother, he nodded.

"Thank you, Menides," my mother said, her attention returning to me. Behind her, though, my father gave me an apologetic look. Yet instead of heading toward the drawing room where the dozens of men waited, he snuck off down in the opposite direction, toward his office.

"Unbelievable," I said under my breath.

"Did you hear me, Danisinia? I said some of the suitors are soldiers."

"And?" I asked.

"And," she took a step forward, "I want you to know that I only wish for you to be happy, dear. You can marry a soldier. By the gods, you can marry a baker for all I care. I only want you to be happy, like your brothers."

I sighed, rubbing a hand across my face, and then descended the steps. Meeting my mother at the bottom of the steps, I grabbed her hands.

Where she was soft and dainty, I was all sharp edges. My mother fit into her role as the commander's wife perfectly. She kept a clean house and raised my brothers and me with a gentle, nurturing hand. She organized charity functions and had afternoon tea with the other leaders' spouses. She taught me how to sew, how to hold my tea cup with grace, and how to dance in heels and uncomfortable, albeit gorgeous, dresses. She modeled how to take care of a household and gave me all the tools needed to be the perfect wife. The perfect mother—but that was never the life I wanted. Especially not after my father would come home, wearing his scratched armor with dirt on his cheek and a smile spread across his face.

While I appreciated everything my mother did for me, I wanted to be able to fight the enemy and then return to the home I purchased and sit with a good book in my hands.

My mother taught me many things. One thing she did not expect to teach me, however, was a sense of determination. When someone told Sorinia Ferrios no, my mother found a way around it. When she set her mind to something, she did it. No questions, no hesitation. She was fierce and strong and more stubborn than even my father.

When I told my mother I wanted to join the military, my mother took it in stride. She didn't even miss a step. I was lucky; I knew that. My mother had supported every decision I had made with a smile on her face.My mother had never asked me to be anything less than who I was—had never demanded that I quit and put the military behind me.

Yet despite her support, I saw the disappointment in her gaze when I would brush off her previous attempts at encouraging me to court one of her friends’ sons.

Like she was now.

My mother squeezed my hands. "Please try. For me?"

I closed my eyes and swallowed. She was never going to give this up.

"Fine," I whispered. I released my mother's hands and walked past her.

But before I could get too far, my mother called after me.

"Yes?"

My mother stared at me with wide, shocked eyes, waving her hands in exasperation. "Aren't you going to go change?"

I snorted. "Mother, if any of those men are upset by my choice in apparel, they can leave right now. I will never change for any man. You taught me that."

I made a beeline for the sitting room as my mother whispered, "Gods, help me."

When I reached the door, I tipped my chin up and scanned the group of men, quickly analyzing the situation before I attacked. Some men shifted on their feet and in their seats as I surveyed the room. Some seemed to cower as my gaze met theirs. Sleeves were tugged down, jackets straightened, and voices lowered as if they were peacocks fluffing their feathers in the presence of a female.

It was horrendous.

I cocked my head, curious.

If I moved too fast, would they scurry away like a deer in a forest?

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