Page 7 of Deadwood
“I meant my father.” I found him across the room in his garnet suit, talking with a few other men. “I’d like to believe Lander and I are blind in this together.”
She quirked a brow. “Already saying you two are together, are we?”
I rolled my eyes, bile rising in my throat at the thought of the word. “At least I’m not alone in this.”
Her face softened slightly. “Auria, you’ve never been alone.”
I shook my head. She didn’t get it. I loved Taylin as if she was my sister, but she didn’t know what it felt like to be locked in this castle day in and day out, only allowed to leave the walls if I were in the garden with her. Even then, I barely got an hour with my best friend before I was forced back inside.
“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” she said, trying to lessen the load.
There was no bright side to this. I was being forced into a marriage with a man I didn’t know, under circumstances I wasn’t—and would likely never—be aware of.
Not only had my father been using me since I was young for his monetary gain and power display, but he was now using me as a political pawn as well.
“Maybe,” I replied, but only because I was too tired to go on about it further.
It was no secret to Taylin that I didn’t want this. I didn’t have to say the words out loud.
“Come. Let’s dance,” she said, grabbing my hand.
Rather than spend the rest of the night stressing over the inevitable, I followed her to the middle of the floor. The rest could wait until tomorrow.
Every worry, every second thought, every doubt.
None of it needed to taint tonight.
I’d enjoy my time with my best friend and fight my battles in the morning.
After all, no war was won in a night.
CHAPTER 4
Iput on a simple red dress that fell to my ankles as I got ready to see Taylin. I’d woken up only minutes ago, but with the questions and theories that had popped up in my head overnight, I’d barely rested, too confused about last night. It nearly felt like some crazy dream.
I opened the dark oak door but stopped short as I came face to face with a guard. He wore Amosite’s typical garnet and silver armor, save for his helmet. He had dark blond hair and a scar through his bottom lip. With his uniform, he should’ve looked at least a bit intimidating, but I’d grown so accustomed to only having guards and servants in my presence that I wasn’t bothered.
He glanced at the straps of my dress before quickly averting his gaze. “Your presence is requested in the throne room.”
“I’m meant to meet with Taylin.” I knew it was pointless to argue. He’d drag me to the king himself if he had to. Even with that thought, I still didn’t fear him like I should. There were other monsters that worried me more.
The guard gave an almost sympathetic look. I never knew their names, as we were never to exchange such pleasantries.
The look was gone as fast as it had appeared.
“Sorry, Lady Auria. Orders are orders.”
My chest rose with a heavy breath as he stepped aside to let me pass.
I’d much rather stay in my room at this point, but that was also a battle I would not win.
Passing the threshold, I closed the door behind me with a soft snick.
We began our walk down the hall, the guard beside me with his hands dangling loosely by his side. He knew I wouldn’t try anything that would require him to wield his sword—I was the daughter of a king, after all. Even if I did, he wouldn’t hurt me. My father had given strict orders that no one put their hands on me, regardless of the circumstances. I wondered how well he thought that might go if I had a husband.
Even Taylin wasn’t supposed to touch me, but with a guard looking the other way, we’d always hug our farewells. It was too isolating to go so long without another human’s touch.
“Were you at the dance last night?” I asked, my eyes trained ahead.
