Page 1 of The Heir's Bargain

Prologue

DANI

"You're a real sadist, Ferrios, you know that?"

I slowed down and peered over my shoulder, my eyes locking on the boys trailing behind me as we sprinted through the fields of lavender.

Fynn smirked as he and Graeson matched pace, Terin trailing only a few steps behind. As Fynn ran into the wind, his chestnut brown hair was pushed back, revealing a sun-kissed forehead speckled with sweat. Golden brown eyes sparkled in the sun, lit with mischief and delight.

Amusement twisted the right corner of my mouth as I looked from the prince to his twin to Graeson. Their faces were flushed pink with annoyance and exhaustion. Yet, all the same, they bore wide, unfettered smiles that mirrored mine.

Behind my three best friends, the lilacs crawling up the castle walls were a purple stain upon the gray stone, and the guards were mere specks. In our wake, patches of lavender were flattened from our careless footsteps as we traipsed through the fields.

"If you boys can't keep up, that's your fault!" Before I turned around, I added with a wide grin, "And that's Sergeant Ferrios to you!"

Then I was off, my arms pumping faster. The cool spring breeze swept across the lavender and brushed across my cheeks as I bounded forward. My head tipped back as laughter poured from my throat, the sun spilling onto my face and warming my skin.

Sergeant might not have been as prestigious a title as major or general, but it was my first real promotion. Unlike my previous position as team leader, which didn't require a rank change, the rank of sergeant gave me my first sparkling metal to pin on my uniform.

When my battalion’s major pinned the new insignia on my lapel, I ignored the pointed stares and skittering murmurs. Unlike Fynn, I didn't need to read my comrades' minds to know what they thought of my promotion. It should have taken two years to reach sergeant, but I had achieved it in one, and I was damn proud of that.

Even if my ears rang as the whispers swam through the crowd.

Perhaps that was why I had opted to celebrate with my best friends rather than my squad. And perhaps it was because the four of us—Terin, Graeson, Fynn, and myself—had seen each other less and less these days. With our growing responsibilities, there was less time to run through the castle halls or the fields like we used to as children. But right now, for one moment, we could all ignore the responsibilities of our kingdom, our positions within it, and the whispers that spread like wildfire.

"Ha! If we're suddenly using titles," Fynn called after me, stirring me from my thoughts, "please address me as Your Highness."

"In your dreams, Fynneares!" I shouted.

"Terin can arrange for that, can't you, Ter?"

Heat flushed my cheeks. If only Fynn knew what consumed my dreams these days.

"Don't bring me into this!" Terin coughed out.

"Only a couple of hours as sergeant, yet it's already gotten to her head," Graeson said, his eye roll almost audible in his tone.

I looked back over my shoulder and imagined throwing daggers at him.

Graeson—as if he knew what I was thinking—cocked a brow as if daring me to try. His ragged black hair shifted as he ran, revealing the jagged scar that ran across the left side of his face.

Scoffing, I rolled my eyes and ran faster.

The top of the hill was quickly approaching, and I could taste the freedom waiting on the other side. My fingers flew over the polished silver buttons of my freshly pressed cotton blouse.

"Can you imagine how she'll act when she gets promoted to captain?" Fynn asked, his voice cutting through the wind. "She'll be absolutely vexing."

I huffed, spinning around on my heel as I jogged backward and up the hill. My shirt hung open, flapping in the air and revealing the black training bodice beneath it. "Captain? Try general."

Before they could respond, I turned around and flew down the hill, their boots pounding the ground behind me. I tugged at the silk ribbon holding my hair and let the wind run through the tight curls.

This was what I had needed, what I had been missing for the past few months after being knee-deep in training.

Freedom, carelessness, reprieve.

At the bottom of the hill, I ripped off the laces and tossed the worn leather shoes that had finally stopped giving me blisters. I unbuttoned my trousers, a smile spreading across my face as I took in the sight before me. Brilliant marigolds and rich violet geraniums surrounded half of the lake. On the closest side, a small dock extended from the shore, its boards worn and bleached by the sun. Small ripples broke up the otherwise smooth surface.

As I stepped out of my trousers, Fynn slid down the hill. He dragged his heels in the wet grass, spraying mud across my bare feet as he stopped in front of me.

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