Page 47 of The Prince's Curse

A pair of guards met them outside the estate, dressed in resplendent silver plate that Haldric couldn’t imagine wearing in this heat.

One of them, a woman with a lean face and braided hair, gave him a shallow bow. “Welcome, Prince Haldric. I hope your journey was a pleasant one.”

“It was, thank you.” He spied the sunburst on her breastplate marking her a Knight of the Order of the Radiant Dawn and couldn’t completely suppress his unease.

Though he’d never personally encountered a Knight, rumors of Khordan’s righteous crusaders extended all the way to Revesole. It was said these wielders of dawnflamewerethe law here in Khordan, where the priests of the Church of Light held almost as much sway as the Forum of noble houses that governed them.

If the woman noticed his unease, she gave no sign, simply nodding and gesturing for them follow.

Straightening his back, Haldric did so, Benjin at his heels. Marshal Fendrel and a pair of royal guards accompanied them while the rest of the soldiers remained behind to tend to their gear. It was the dangers of the road they were here to protect against, not their erstwhile allies. Still, it never hurt to be prudent.

Haldric didn’t ask their escort’s name as she led them inside, and she didn’t give it. It seemed unusual for a lesser noble like Lord Galax to be personally attended by Order Knights. Likely, they were here to ensure Haldric’s safety and avoid any diplomatic incidents with Ilthabard.

The Order Knights ushered him and Benjin down several long corridors of white marble into an impressive columned antechamber. There, seated upon a pair of high-backed, gold-inlaid chairs reminiscent of thrones, waited Lord and Lady Galax.

“Hail, Prince Haldric!” Lord Galax called with a broad grin. “So glad you finally made it! How was your trip?”

“Fine, thank you,” Haldric replied. “Though I look forward to sleeping in a bed tonight.”

Lord Galax gave a boisterous laugh. “Just wait until you’re my age, Your Highness—then you’llreallyappreciate the virtues of a proper mattress.”

Haldric chuckled politely. His gaze flitted from Lord Galax to his wife seated beside him. According to his research, she was the true head of the Galax household, her husband content to follow her lead. Whether or not he succeeded here would depend entirely on her.

“Lady Galax,” he said with a dutiful bow. “It is an honor to meet you. I thank you and your husband for your generosity in inviting me to visit.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” she said, her voice soft as silk. “The honor is ours. Our House has ever maintained strong ties with Ilthabard thanks to our shared interest in trade along the Tholan River. We’re eager to do whatever we can to further strengthen those ties.”

A good sign,Haldric thought, inclining his head. His father had seemed to believe this a done deal, but nothing was ever certain. Perhaps this mission would prove easier than he’d feared.

“My daughter has eagerly anticipated your coming,” Lady Galax continued. “She awaits you now in the library, if you feel up to meeting with her.”

“Of course,” Haldric said, stifling a ruffle of nerves. “It would be my pleasure.”

“Good. Then we shall see you and your companions at dinner. In the meantime, please make yourselves at home. Whatever we have to offer, we do so freely.”

The Order Knights escorted him and Benjin back into the hall before taking their leave. A servant waited nearby, ready to lead Haldric to the library…and his future wife who awaited him there.

His nerves suddenly flared brighter, his stomach twisting. Until now, the arranged marriage had felt like some nebulous, distant concept he could think about purely in terms of its political implications. But soon he’d come face to face with the stark reality in the flesh.

A hand rested on his arm, and he jerked in surprise, glancing over to see Benjin at his side. The apprentice leaned in, so close that Haldric caught the faint scent of ink from his rune scribing, along with an earthier musk entirely his own.

“Don’t worry,” Benjin murmured, soft enough the servant wouldn’t be able to overhear. “You’ve no reason to be nervous. Soon enough, you’ll be engaged to a beautiful princess of themost powerful Empire in the world. You should be rejoicing, not freaking out.”

Bile seared Haldric’s chest, along with an odd sort of disappointment he couldn’t fully explain. Still, he focused on Benjin’s words, drawing strength from the apprentice’s confidence in him.

“I’m not certain I’m up for this sort of political maneuvering,” he muttered.

Benjin chuckled quietly, his warm gray eyes meeting Haldric’s from beneath his sweat-damp curls. “I dunno—you seem perfect to me at bossing people around and putting on airs. Politics should be right up your alley.”

Haldric scowled, but Benjin merely smirked, squeezing his arm. “You’ll do great, Haldric. I have utter faith in your ability to be charming when you want to be. See you at dinner.”

Then, he was gone with his knapsack in hand, likely off to see to his business on behalf of the Grand Magus. Haldric had questioned him more during the trip, curious what Dexil might be up to, but Benjin had claimed to be equally clueless.

Taking a deep breath, Haldric gestured at the servant to lead the way and followed them to a heavy oak door set into the marble wall. The room inside was two stories tall, with a wide balcony overlooking the floor below. Towering shelves lined every wall, filled with all manner of tomes.

Benjin would have a field day in here,he thought before shoving the apprentice from his mind and focusing on the woman seated in a reading chair. Shewasbeautiful, in a homey sort of way. Neither too heavy nor too skinny, she wore a modest gown, its pale-yellow color complimenting her long blonde hair.

“Prince Haldric.” She rose and immediately performed a sweeping curtsy. “It’s good to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

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