Page 13 of Deadwood
“I’m under the impression you were unaware?” he asked, his words hesitant as he realized he was talking out his ass.
I wished I was holding a glass so I could fidget with something other than my godsdamned dress. “I had no clue any of this would be happening.” Gods, I wanted to say more, but I wasn’t sure how much I was allowed to discuss with him.
He looked a bit taken aback, like that was somehow a shock to him. I supposed he thought the king’s daughter would know of such basic information.
“Please take your seats,” my father announced, interrupting our conversation.
I gave Lander a small smile before parting ways, heading to my designated spot at the table. I was to always sit on the side my father took.
To my satisfaction, my stepmother was seated where I’d drunk most of the wine from the glass.
In the spot next to her, at the head of the table, my father cleared his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. “Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate Auria and Lander’s engagement a bit more privately. As I’m sure you two are”—he looked to King and Queen Bular on the other side of Lander and Paxon—“we are so pleased with their engagement, in the hopes it restores peace between the kingdoms.”
I stared at my plate, not bothering to look his way as he spoke. This was the first time he’d ever mentioned anything of the sort in front of me, and while I’d had a sinking suspicion since the announcement, his words only solidified that I was being used as his pawn.
If this marriage was to bring peace the same way my magic brought him wealth, then what was I but a body to be moved around for convenience?
“In order for this to work,” my father began again, “Lander and Auria will need to make their engagement known more widely than solely at the party I threw. Royals may be able to spread the news, but townspeople will surely have their doubts, and without them, we may not get the best in trade, as they are the biggest producers.”
My head shot up, a small bit of hope blooming in my chest. Was he going to allow me outside of these walls? Outside of the chasm?
My father’s gaze moved between Lander and me beside each other. “First, a stroll through the city, flaunting how deeply in love you two are. Then, with the protection of two dozen guards, you will travel to the three other kingdoms. You are not to stop in the other towns between visits. Is that understood?”
I blinked a few times, as if the action could help me process what he was saying any clearer. Did I hear his words right? Surely, I couldn’t have.
“Other kingdoms?” I asked for clarification.
His eyes pinned me in place, clearly not appreciating my interruption. He wanted me to agree, not ask questions. “Yes. You will visit Sulphur first, then Lander’s home in Torbernite, head to Feldspar, and then you will be back home, in Amosite.”
My entire body was frozen in place, even my heart quieting its beat to take in this news. I was going to visit the other three kingdoms. That was…incomprehensible.
He was just going to let me walk out these doors, without him, cross the bridge over the chasm, and be free, even if only for a short time?
“Get that little gleam out of your eyes, Auria. There will be guards, and you are expected back within three weeks. If either of you do not arrive on the day you are expected to return, there will be consequences. Is that clear?”
I nodded, trying my best not to look too eager while Lander seemed entirely bored, not giving any indication how he might feel about this.
“All of the guards have been given detailed instructions with a planned route. There will be no straying from those directions. No exploring any cities. This is not a vacation. It is a show of power, of unification, that we will not crumble under their threats of breaking off trade. Understood?”
Though my father’s voice boomed with authority, I couldn’t care less what he was saying.
I was getting out.
Even if only for a few weeks, I would still be able to see something other than these drab walls.
That was enough.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I said, attempting to hide my excitement from my tone.
Across from me, Paxon eyed me curiously, not once taking his attention off of me. Lander had already begun eating beside me, seemingly in a hurry to be done.
“Along with the guards, Paxon will be accompanying the two of you on this journey,” King Bular added after taking a sip of his wine.
My eyes moved from him back to Paxon, who now had the corner of his mouth tilted in a smirk.
“Plenty of time to get to know each other,” he said, his expression twisted like a cat watching a mouse.
“Lovely,” I mumbled before taking a large gulp of my wine. Not only was I supposed to become comfortable with Lander, I was now expected to be polite with his brother, too.
