Page 12 of Stars May Burn

I steeled myself as I watched the dusty road pull us closer and closer, the sun beating stronger so far east. I would be fine. I was always fine. Beatrice and Lucy were pleasant. General Batton hadn’t been cruel or unkind. Maybe I would even find some happiness here. And if not, I was happy to know I was helping my family. I would go through this so my sisters and children didn’t have to—if I could ever bear a child.

“Good heavens, pull yourself back in!”

I stopped leaning out the window and sat straight, facing Miss Claris. Lucy and Beatrice had been dismissed to ride on the outside of the carriage on the rear seat, so I was alone with my original maid. She scowled at my head.

“My lady, the wind has messed up your hair. We must be doing everything we can to impress your husband. You must bear him an heir quickly to put a stop to the rumors, not to mention how that will solidify your position. You must be perfect.”

I blushed and looked down. “Sorry, Miss Claris. I know how long you spent doing my hair, but I’m sure his lordship won’t mind after a day on the road.”

Miss Claris tutted. “There is never an excuse for looking less than perfect for you, Lady Sophie. Not when your father comes from rags.”

I smiled to reassure her nerves. “Of course, Miss Claris. I will be more careful.”

The carriage rolled and bumped on the increasingly uneven road, making my maid grumble to herself. “With any luck, we’ll be able to return to the capital soon,” she muttered. “Maybe once you’re pregnant or when the general leaves on one of his campaigns.”

“I think the countryside is beautiful,” I replied, turning my head to look back out of the window while sitting far enough back to avoid the breeze catching my hair. “So much green. And the air is sweeter. I like the open space.”

Miss Claris didn’t reply, and I became distracted from everything but the small hazy city that was growing larger on the horizon. The road wound right up to its tall walls, and soon, a busy gate flanked by guards became visible. It seemed every person was stopped and checked before they entered Kasomere. I frowned. I’d never known such strict requirements to enter a city. I wondered if the general erred on the side of paranoia, or if there was a specific threat he was concerned about. Or maybe things were simply done differently this far east. Our country was at war after all, and Kasomere was much closer to the border.

As we neared the gate, the road became busier. One of the soldiers on horseback fell back to flank the door of the carriage. On the other side, Sir Cley, who was in charge of our party, bent toward the window. His short brown hair was still slicked back and perfectly in place, though he had to be sweating from riding for so many hours in this heat.

“My lady, I request you sit back from the windows and draw the curtains. Things are about to get very busy, and there will be time to show your face to the crowds later. Today, your safety is our top priority.”

“Of course, sir.” I did as he asked and moved back to the center of the carriage.

Miss Claris shook her head with a sharp tut. “I knew things would be more backward out here, but not even being able to show your face from a carriage? This place must be lawless. You must implore your husband to donate proper time to making his streets safe. He leads half the army. He should have enough men to do so.”

I bit my lip. “Shall I ask the maids to come inside?”

Miss Claris shook her head. “No, no, they’re from here. I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

I listened to muffled voices as the temperature in the carriage rose; the stuffy air felt devoid of oxygen. I expected us to stop at the gate like the other travelers, but we didn’t even slow, so we had been waved straight through.

In the closed space, my thoughts returned to my husband. Our first conversation yesterday had been so odd, I still didn’t know what to make of it. I was off kilter, unsure what he would expect of me and what my role would be. I knew that any marriage came with its difficulties, but what if I struggled to relate to him at all? What if he ended up being worse than Frederick? My normal optimism fell prey to nerves, and my heart rate picked up.

The heat increased in the gloom and the carriage rattled and jolted over cobblestones. A wave of nausea crashed over me. I swayed, trying to draw in deep breaths, but the dizziness increased, my stomach clenched, and saliva rushed to my mouth.

I could not be sick in here. Not when my new household was waiting to greet me. Not while my husband was still getting to know me. I had to make a good impression. I didn’t want them to think I was weak.

I fought with the curtain, yanking it back and sucking in the cool air from the outside before I could vomit. The nausea subsided with each deep breath, and the bouncing carriage felt more bearable when I could see where we traveled.

“Look! Look! It’s the lady! I saw the lady!”

My eyes darted to the voice. A woman wearing a neat white head scarf and holding a wide basket was pointing to me with a surprised expression. Everyone in the street who’d been paying minimal interest in the carriage now turned to face me.

Rough hands pulled me back inside. “What are you doing?” Miss Claris whispered harshly. “The guard told you to keep the curtain shut.”

As soon as the curtain fell back into place, the nausea returned with the stuffiness that made it hard to breathe.

“I need the air. I feel ill,” I managed.

The carriage was slowing, and the streets were becoming louder. I opened the curtain just a little, enough to keep the nausea at bay. The soldiers had completely surrounded the carriage, their tall horses forcing me to angle myself if I wanted to see between their legs or past the flick of tails.

A crowd was gathering on all sides, but they didn’t appear angry or dangerous. They seemed excited. The energy in the air made my heart beat faster. Something pale flew over a horse’s rump and hit the carriage door. A flower. It was small but dainty and quickly crushed by the carriage wheels.

The carriage slowed further as every inhabitant of Kasomere seemed to push against the ring of soldiers, blocking our way to the castle.

The guards shouted for them to clear the road, but their bellows were quickly swallowed by the shouts of the crowd.

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