Page 34 of What Fury Brings
“Good. Then you behave, and we will both be just fine. Now,” she continued, “we went over this on the road, so this should only be a refresher. This is how today is going to be. You go where I go. You will follow a step behind me at all times. If, for any reason, I should touch you in an amorous way in public, you are to return the sentiment. With enthusiasm. Look at me as though you dote on me. Do not speak unless spoken to or unless you are directing a question to me. Look like you’re happy to be here. Look honored to have been chosen by me. You should be, you know. I am the most eligible and soon-to-be powerful woman in the world. Mothers have been trying to wed their sons to me since I was fifteen.”
“Then why am I here?” he asked. “Why not settle on some gentle, pretty boy from Amarra?”
“For starters, I was led to believe you were far prettier and gentler than you are, but I suppose that the men of your kingdom are so terrible that you are what passes for both. Don’t give me that look, Andrastus. I do find you pleasing. Furthermore, I need a nobleman to help strengthen my own line. There are many ways to gain favor in the eyes of the nobility and the people. The potential for noble heirs is one. Making myself a strong political candidate is another. And the final is to show how my men respect and obey me.”
“Men?” he hedged, catching on the plural.
“I only have one for now,” she said.
“What do you meanfor now?” he asked, but she’d grown tired of the conversation and began to move.
Olerra was relieved to hear him following her from the room. The chains clinked faintly as he walked. She kept her pace slow so he could follow even with the shackles.
“These clothes are ridiculous,” he said from behind her.
“They match your protests, don’t you think?”
“I think you’re a fool for taking me. My father—”
“Has too many sons. Think of all the good you’ll do uniting our kingdoms. Even you can see the benefits of ceasing the fighting between our people. Since you’re so badly losing. Now, stand up straight. Flex whenever you notice a woman looking at you. Always smile.”
“Flex and smile,” he deadpanned.
“That’s right.” Gods, he really wasn’t listening on the road.
The prince went quiet, and Olerra assumed he was taking in the palace. Escape must be foremost on his mind. He would be memorizing routes to and from every location they traversed and looking for doors that led outside. Olerra said nothing, instead looking at her favorite portraits. One depicted the first queen of Amarra as she held up her hands to the heavens, asking the goddess to end her suffering. The story was five hundred years old, and while it had been told throughout the ages, the queen’s name was lost to time. She was instead referred to as Amarra’s Chosen.
A tapestry detailed the first battle with the Brutes, taking place along the Fren River. Horses carried their riders through the water, and as the cavalry struck the enemy foot soldiers, the current swept them away.
Weapons throughout the ages hung from hooks on the walls. Special pieces from real battles were encased in glass. The Amarrans loved art, and war was the form they were the best at.
As they walked, Olerra listened for any telling movements fromAndrastus. She knew the thought of getting the better of her from behind had to have crossed his mind. He could take a step, throw those manacled arms over her head and be at her throat.
But there were guards spaced evenly along the corridor. If he attempted to kill her, it would mean a swift death for him. He must have been self-serving enough not to attempt it.
What a relief.
8
A servant greeted them as Olerra strode into the breakfast room. Usually, she preferred to eat with her soldiers, but for the foreseeable future she needed to be seen by important people in court. More important, her prince needed to be shown off.
Olerra prayed he would behave as she looked over her shoulder to see if Andrastus was keeping apace with her. His eyes were as round as eggs as he took in the room.
Finely dressed women were seated all around the table, their men standing behind them or curled up at their feet. The men all had their armbands on full display, the design meant to show which woman had claimed each. Most men wore matching jewelry in other places. Earrings, necklaces, nipple clamps, other piercings. They were done up in various amounts of makeup, from kohl-rimmed eyes to glitter in their hair.
Olerra hadn’t bothered with makeup for Andrastus yet. Mostly because she was too worried he’d smudge it on purpose. Baby steps.
“Behave,” she whispered to him, “and I won’t ever have to put another gag on you. It would be a shame anyway. That mouth is too pretty not to have out on full display.”
He seemed startled by her flirtatious words, but she didn’t retract them. His lips were the perfect color of pink. They looked darker when compared to his ivory skin and near-white hair.
Focus, she told herself.
Ydra intercepted them. Olerra was relieved to see that she’d shown up. Unlike the rest of the noblewomen, she didn’t bring boys from her harem to court. In fact, Ydra’s harem was the least traditional of the bunch.
Andrastus had a scowl for Olerra’s second-in-command, but once Olerra touched his arm, he turned the scowl on her.
“Remember,” she said. “Smiles and flexing. Your life is on the line. Make me proud today.”
